Importers and retailers have been requested by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority to refrain from selling or supplying loom bands charms with immediate effect until investigations it is conducting are concluded.
The MCCAA said in a statement these charms were recalled from UK toy outlets due to high levels of chemicals which could cause serious health problems in children, especially if placed in the mouth.
According to reports, specialised laboratories in the UK tested the products and in certain instances levels were found to be higher than those prescribed by law.
The MCCAA said that as a result of its investigations, it had already elevated some charms from the market.