Amazon quietly removes some viral toys as safety concerns rise
Squishy toys face new scrutiny as federal officials warn about counterfeits and one advocacy group raises broader safety concerns.
Managing Editor, Hearst Television
You’ve probably seen those viral squeezy dumpling toys on social media. Now, federal safety officials are warning about fake and counterfeit versions, and Consumer Reports is raising questions about potential risks across the broader category.
Amazon tells the National Consumer Unit it has proactively removed some squishy toys from its store following reported safety concerns — including one dumpling squishy that my colleague bought for her child in June.
But she says she was never notified that the product had been removed.
The discovery comes after the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning this month about fake and counterfeit squishy toys, including ones shaped like dumplings, other foods, and animals. The agency says some may not meet federal safety requirements and may contain harmful chemicals, though it did not identify which specific brands or products it considers authentic. We’ve asked the CPSC for further clarification and will update this article if we learn more.
This week Consumer Reports called on the CPSC to investigate safety risks across the entire category of sensory gel toys, warning the hazards may not be limited to fake and counterfeit products. The group says it analyzed reports to the CPSC’s SaferProducts.gov database and identified 33 incidents between January 2025 and July 2026 involving chemical burns, skin irritation or strong odors. In some cases, consumers reported symptoms including nausea, headaches, watery eyes or sore throats.
There have also been concerns overseas. Earlier this summer, U.K. regulators recalled squishy dumpling toys made by Samsons Cash and Carry Limited after testing found an excess concentration of benzene, a chemical linked to cancer.
That prompted us to take a closer look at the toy my colleague purchased on Amazon.
We spotted several red flags. There was no manufacturer or tracking information on the toy itself. It also had a strong, solvent-like odor, similar to a permanent marker.
When we went back to the Amazon product listing to look for more safety information, we found the page was gone.
We asked Amazon about it, and the company confirmed the toy had been removed.
Amazon says it requires products sold in its store to comply with applicable laws, regulations and its own policies. We also asked Amazon about its policy for notifying customers after a product is removed, but the company did not respond to that question at the time of reporting.
What should parents look for?
The CPSC says consumers should stop using squishy toys if they have an unknown manufacturer, lack required safety information or have a strong chemical odor.
Other warning signs include toys that feel oily or sticky, leak or tear apart easily.
And there’s one more important precaution: keep squishy toys away from heat.
The CPSC says consumers should never microwave or intentionally heat them, and should not leave them in a hot car or prolonged sunlight. The toys can become dangerously hot, burst and cause serious burns.
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