Laboratory analysis indicated the products, sourced from online retailers and NSW market stalls, contained real animal fur. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
Animal welfare organisation Four Paws commissioned UK-based lab Microtex Analysis to analyse fur on fluffy toys and key rings sold at market stalls in NSW as well as online retailers.
One key ring sold online as "fake fur" was consistent with dog hair, which has been banned in Australia since 2004.
Toys are not covered by mandatory labelling laws under Australian Consumer Law.
Laboratory testing of seven fluffy toys and key rings sold by online retailers and at stalls in markets in NSW has found every product contained real animal fur despite some being marketed as fake fur.
The testing identified rabbit and fox fur and in one case, dog fur, imports of which have been banned in Australia for decades.
In most cases the fur had been dyed, making it difficult for consumers to recognise it was real animal fur, particularly where some products were advertised as fake fur and did not have a label identifying the material.
One key ring sold to look like an animal tail, sold online for $2.61 and described as a "tail bag pendant" made with "soft fake fur", was consistent with real dog hair.
The online retailer, based in Hangzhou, China, describes itself as a leading wholesale platform for fashion jewellery, accessories and clothing.
A key ring sold online as "fake fur" contained material consistent with real dog hair, laboratory analysis found. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
The findings come as Four Corners continues to investigate whether consumers can trust the products they buy, following its Duped investigation into food fraud, misleading labels and hidden supply chains.
Animal welfare organisation Four Paws commissioned UK-based lab Microtex Analysis to carry out the testing.
"There is a proliferation of these types of cheap products online and I believe most consumers would believe these to be faux fur given the cost and look," said Louise Ward, the programs lead for Four Paws.
"What makes these results so concerning is that we're not talking about luxury fur coats. We're talking about cheap children's toys, fluffy key rings and small trinkets that no reasonable consumer would expect to contain real animal fur," Ms Ward said.
"Consumers have a right to know what they're buying, and right now our laws and regulations are letting consumers down."
