Parents urged to check toy boxes after popular children’s toy recalled over serious safety hazards
The recalls were issued after counterfeit squishy toys were found to contain water beads, which can pose serious injury or death risks.
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THE TAKEAWAY
- More than 15,000 counterfeit squishy toys were recalled over serious safety hazards.
- The recalls were issued for OKK Trading Rainbow Mystery Squishy Bun Toys and GIHNJSI Squeezy Dumpling Toys.
- Both products violate mandatory federal safety standards for toys, prompting the recall.
Officials are urging parents to immediately check their children’s toys after more than 15,000 counterfeit squishy toys were recalled over serious safety hazards that could put kids at risk.
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The recalls were issued Thursday for OKK Trading Rainbow Mystery Squishy Bun Toys and GIHNJSI Squeezy Dumpling Toys after both products were found to contain water beads, which can pose serious injury or death risks.
OKK Trading recalled Rainbow Mystery Squishy Bun toys after the product was found to contain water beads that can cause serious injury to death risk if ingested. (The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission / FOX Weather)
"Water beads can expand after being swallowed and cause intestinal blockages, choking, aspiration or injuries when inserted into the nose or ear," the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said in a press release. "Other unknown filling materials may present chemical exposure, inhalation or ingestion hazards."
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In severe cases, swallowing water beads can also cause other serious complications, including vomiting, dehydration and possibly even death.
Both products violate mandatory federal safety standards for toys, prompting the recall of approximately 8,000 Squeezy Dumpling Toys and 7,200 Rainbow Mystery Squishy Bun Toys.
The GIHNJSI Squeezy Dumplings toys were recalled due to serious ingestion, choking and obstruction hazards. (The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission / FOX Weather)
The Squeezy Dumpling Toys were sold on Amazon between May and June for about $20 and were labeled "SQUEEZY DUMPLINGS" and "SQUEEZE ME."
The Rainbow Mystery Squishy Bun Toys were sold through various third-party stores and have the model number D08004.
No injuries or deaths have been reported in connection with either product at this time.
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According to the CPSC, there have been reports of a viral social media trend encouraging children and teens to microwave squishy toys, which can be extremely dangerous as the toys can expand, change texture or burst when heated.
The CPSC noted that federal law prohibits the importation and sale of children’s toys that fail to meet applicable safety standards.
Children’s toys generally must also be tested by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory and certified as complying with applicable federal requirements.
The squishy bun toys violate the mandatory safety standards for toys. (The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission / FOX Weather)
Many counterfeit squishy toys not only contain hazardous water beads but can have gels, liquids, powders and other unknown filling materials that could pose chemical exposure, inhalation or ingestion hazards.
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Recently, Sunny Days Entertainment, the company that makes the authentic squishy toys, said on social media that they are aware of counterfeit products being sold.
"We recently found a counterfeit version of our viral Strawberry Jumbo Squish being sold at a mall kiosk," Sunny Days Entertainment said. "At first glance, it looked almost identical, even using our packaging and our logo."
The company said authentic products are printed with a marker that identifies genuine products and indicates the product has been safety tested to meet U.S. safety standards.
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"Counterfeit products may look the same, but there’s no guarantee they’ve been tested for quality or safety," Sunny Days Entertainment said. "That’s why we encourage everyone to purchase from trusted, reputable retailers and always look for the authenticity marker before you buy."
To date, the CPSC has identified 55 shipments of violative squishy toys at U.S. ports and worked with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prevent 355,683 units from entering the country.
The Rainbow Mystery Squishy Bun Toys were sold through various third-party stores. (The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission / FOX Weather)
The CPSC has also issued notices of violation to companies responsible for importing or selling noncompliant products through online marketplaces, social media platforms, discount stores and other retailers.
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"CPSC will continue aggressive enforcement at U.S. ports and across online marketplaces to prevent dangerous products from reaching American families," the commission said.
For more information on how to spot counterfeit squishy toys, visit CPSC.gov.