A popular children's toy, known as 'squishy dumplings,' is drawing increased attention due to reports of strong chemical odors, toy malfunctions, and potential health risks. These palm-sized, jelly-like toys, often sold in blind boxes resembling dim sum baskets, have gained significant traction on social media platforms.
Parents have shared experiences online, describing the toys emitting potent chemical or gasoline-like smells upon opening. Some reports also detail the toys exploding or their contents causing skin irritations. In some instances, tests have detected fumes containing compounds that experts suggest could be linked to long-term health effects, including cancer.
While toys sold by reputable retailers are generally expected to meet safety standards, experts caution that products sourced from less regulated channels, such as discount stores or online marketplaces with unverified sellers, may pose greater risks. These less regulated sources can lead to inconsistent quality control and potentially unsafe additives.
Chemical Analysis and Expert Concerns
Concerns have been amplified by laboratory analyses. A UK council tested several squishy dumpling toys and detected volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals that can evaporate into the air and be inhaled. Some VOCs have been linked to irritation, headaches, nausea, and, with prolonged exposure, potential carcinogenic effects. Rhys Harries, Swansea Council's Trading Standards officer, highlighted that a strong chemical smell combined with a lack of basic safety information should be a warning sign for both parents and retailers.
A Toronto Star investigation sent a range of the toys to a lab for analysis. In every toy tested, low levels of hazardous VOCs were detected. The RMS-made rainbow dumpling, for example, emitted vinyl chloride—a known cancer-causing gas used in plastic production—at a level just above the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) eight-hour exposure limit of 1 part per million (ppm). While Professor Paul Bozek of the University of Toronto stated these levels were likely below concern for short-term exposure, he advised against prolonged daily play.
Unbranded versions of the toys were found to contain other industrial chemicals, including toluene, a solvent that can cause dizziness and headaches, and dimethylformamide, a probable human carcinogen. Glutaraldehyde, a disinfectant that can irritate the skin and lungs, and formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, were also detected in some samples.
Safety Standards and Market Dynamics
Toys sold in the U.S. are subject to federal safety standards designed to limit exposure to harmful chemicals. However, companies are not required to disclose the full chemical makeup of their products. The market for these toys includes a wide range of manufacturers, with many produced overseas and sold online under various names, making it difficult to ascertain the exact contents of any given toy.
Consumer retail analyst Carol Spieckerman described the situation as a "classic hot-trend cycle," where a product's popularity leads to numerous copycat manufacturers rushing to enter the market, often prioritizing quick profit over consistent quality control. Major retailers like Walmart are seen as acting as gatekeepers, with products intended for children undergoing testing. However, purchasing from less regulated channels means consumers have less assurance about product safety and origin.
Consumer Reports has also previously highlighted potential risks in similar gel-filled toys. In December 2025, they tested a toy with a pH level of 2, comparable to lemon juice or vinegar, warning of a risk of chemical burns on sensitive skin. Reports of children suffering burns after certain squishy toys reportedly burst or leaked have been documented in federal safety databases. The manufacturer of those specific toys disputed the findings, citing its own safety specifications and a low number of reported incidents over millions of units sold.
Consumer Reports has also cautioned against social media trends involving microwaving these toys, noting that some can explode when heated, reaching temperatures exceeding 200°F.