The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued recalls for squishy toys manufactured by ABC Trading, OKK Trading and Toyworld168. According to the federal agency, which regulates the safety of more than 15,000 consumer products, the squishy toys feature water beads that expand larger than permitted and therefore pose a hazard of potentially deadly ingestion.

Squishy Dumpling Toys and Crazy Squib Ball Toys from ABC Trading were recalled due to water bead ingestion risks. (photo courtesy of CPSC)

Squishy toys, which are sold in retail and in promo, have become some of the most sought-after consumer products due to what people describe as a satisfying sensory experience. Children and adults alike have turned to squishies for fidgeting and stress relief.

NeeDohs, a line of squishy toys that come in different shapes and colors, grew so popular that many retailers and suppliers struggled to keep them in stock.

According to the CPSC, 7,000 water bead-related ingestion injuries were treated in the U.S. between 2018 and 2022. The agency also found that water beads contain acrylamide, a known carcinogen, which violates the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. In March, the CPSC announced a new federal safety standard for water beads because they can expand up to 100 times their size when placed in water, which means they’re hazardous when swallowed. Water beads manufactured after March 12, 2026, that don’t meet the new safety standard can’t legally be sold in the U.S., which explains some of these more recent product recalls.

Suppliers and distributors that sell these products in promo should ensure any items containing these beads comply with the rule, which limits how large the beads can grow, restricts specific chemicals and requires sellers to issue clear warning labels. They should also communicate with customers about these risks if they apply to products they’ve already sold.

“Many water beads are manufactured overseas and imported into the United States,” explained CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman in an educational video explaining the new rule. “Companies that fail to comply will face the full weight of CPSC enforcement.”

This isn’t the first time squishy toys and other sensory products have taken the heat for posing risks to users. Earlier this summer, the U.K. issued a recall for squeezy dumplings from Samsons Cash & Carry LTD, citing a “serious chemical risk” due to the excess concentration of benzene, which can cause skin irritation and burning. And let’s not forget about the viral TikTok trend last spring, which encouraged children to microwave gel-filled squishy toys, resulting in severe burns and scarring.

“When placed in a microwave, the internal gel heats quickly, causing pressure to build until the toy explodes, often moments after being picked up or squeezed,” Steven Valassis, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, told Parents.com.

The CPSC responded in August with the following consumer safety alert: “Squishy toys can become dangerously hot when left in direct sunlight, inside a hot vehicle, near a heater or in another high-temperature environment.”

The CPSC says consumers should stop using Squishy Dumpling Toys, Crazy Squib Ball Toys and Rainbow Mystery Squishy Bun Toys immediately, and contact the companies to obtain a refund.

More information on CPSC’s squishy toy product recalls and safety warnings can be found on its website.