Squishy toys recalled over water beads, toxic chemicals

Federal safety officials have issued recalls and warnings for popular squishy toys containing water beads, which can expand inside a child's body if swallowed, posing potentially life-threatening hazards. Additionally, authorities in the United Kingdom are cautioning consumers about similar toys found to contain toxic chemicals. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced on September 3, 2026, two recalls involving approximately 15,200 toys combined. The first recall covers about 8,000 GIHNJSI Squeezy Dumplings, translucent round squishy balls with cartoon faces and glitter-like particles, sold on Amazon from May through June 2026. The second recall involves roughly 7,200 Rainbow Mystery Squishy Bun Toys, which also contain water beads and feature cartoon faces, sold through various third-party stores nationwide from May through August 2026. According to the CPSC, the water beads inside these recalled products can expand significantly if swallowed. This expansion can lead to choking, intestinal blockages, severe discomfort, vomiting, dehydration, and a risk of death.