Researchers are warning parents and other holiday gift buyers that one of the season’s must-have toys is unsafe — but the maker of Zhu Zhu Pets insists that the robotic hamsters are not only safe, but have passed rigorous testing.

St. Louis-based Cepia LLC challenged consumer-safety group GoodGuide’s claim that the hair and nose on Mr. Squiggles, one of the hamsters, contained higher-than-allowed levels of the chemical antimony.

After GoodGuide on Friday rated the toy a 5.2 on a 10-point scale, Cepia CEO Russ Hornsby fumed, “Being a father of children myself, I would never allow any substandard or unsafe product to hit the shelves.”

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has opened an investigation, according to MSNBC.

Zhu Zhu Pets retail for about $10 but and have become this season’s toy craze, following in the footsteps of Tickle Me Elmo and Cabbage Patch Kids.are reselling for $40 or more on eBay and Craigslist.

(Source: MSNBC.com)