Counterfeit Squishies ‘May Pose Serious Risk,’ CPSC Warns

As the popularity of squishy fidget toys rises, so do reports of burned skin and noxious odors linked to multiple brands

Consumer Reports Investigative Reporter, Lauren Kirchner.

By Lauren Kirchner
Investigative Reporter

August 6, 2026

Squishy bun toy containing water beads — In the past year and a half, at least 15 consumers have written to the CPSC about squishy toys that have a strong odor right out of the box.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning on Wednesday about fake and counterfeit squishy toys that don’t comply with federal safety standards and “may pose serious risks to children.” The agency said that, to date, it has stopped 355,683 dangerous squishy toys from entering the U.S. at ports.

Some widely available squishy toys contain water beads, which can expand in the body and cause lasting harm. Some contain other unknown materials that children can be exposed to if the toys break, posing “chemical exposure, inhalation, or ingestion hazards,” according to the announcement. The agency advises consumers to stop using any toy that “has a strong chemical odor, feels oily or unusually sticky, is leaking, or can be torn apart easily.” The announcement did not name any particular brands.

It’s difficult (and sometimes impossible) for a parent to determine based on a package or an online listing whether a particular squishy toy is counterfeit, but families have been complaining to the CPSC about a range of issues—from mysterious smells to severe skin burns—tied to squishy toys from a variety of brands. In the past year and a half, at least 15 consumers have written to the CPSC via its SaferProducts.gov site about squishy toys that have a strong, noxious odor right out of the box. They described the smell as similar to “gasoline,” “shoe glue,” and “paint thinner,” and some said that the fumes were so strong that they gave them headaches or caused a child to vomit.

The agency’s Wednesday announcement also repeated a previous warning to never ever heat a squishy toy or leave it in a car or in direct sunlight, because these toys can quickly become dangerously hot and explode. This warning follows an unfortunate, yearslong social media trend that involves videos of kids microwaving their squishy toys to make them more malleable. Several children attempting this have been severely burned by the sticky, scalding gel that burst out of the toys, according to reports to the agency and in the media.

“It’s encouraging that the CPSC is taking action on counterfeit squishy toys, but parents need more information because safety risks may not be limited to fake or off-brand products,” says Gabe Knight, senior safety policy analyst at Consumer Reports. “Many of the consumer complaints report purchasing the toys from well-known retailers and toy stores. And several reports of harm involve popular name-brand squishies. The CPSC should continue to investigate the entire product category, and take additional action as needed to help keep consumers safe.”

As part of a December 2025 investigation, Consumer Reports tested the insides of eight different squishy toys. We found one toy, the NeeDoh Groovy Glob, to be highly acidic. The head of NeeDoh’s parent company disputed CR’s finding and said that the insides are polyvinyl alcohol gel, aka PVA, a common ingredient in glues and cosmetic products that is safe for skin contact and unable to cause burns at room temperature.

We also put our samples in the microwave (which you should never, ever do). We found that some of the toys exploded after only about 15 seconds, and that they also reached an incredibly dangerous 200° F in that time.

The squishy craze and its attendant safety risks are a global phenomenon. The U.K.’s product safety agency recalled a Squeezy Dumpling squishy toy in June 2026 because its outer layer contained benzene, which is harmful if inhaled. And in August, according to news reports, authorities in Thailand seized 20,000 squishy toys because of the risk that they contain harmful chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and phthalates.

Tips for Preventing Injuries

Don’t give squishy gel toys to babies. Given the risk that any toy like this has the potential to break open, don’t give these to babies or children of any age who might bite or put these things in their mouths.

Know the seller. To avoid counterfeit toys that may not meet safety standards, try to buy from reputable sellers that provide clear contact information, with marketing language that’s spelled correctly. Avoid toys that are priced substantially below others.

Check frequently for damage, like holes or tears. If anything appears to be leaking out, toss the toy in the trash.

Never, ever microwave or freeze squeeze toys. Extreme temperature changes can cause the toys to break open much more easily, and heating in particular has caused severe burns.

Don’t leave squishy gel toys in the car, near a heater, or in direct sunlight. Doing so may cause the toys to heat up unexpectedly.

Use caution during cleanup. If a toy bursts, avoid touching the inner material with your skin. If you or your child does get material from inside a gel toy on your skin or anywhere else, clean it right off quickly but gently. You can use just water and a gentle cleanser, or something like Vaseline or mineral oil if it’s sticky or otherwise hard to remove.

Lauren Kirchner

Lauren Kirchner is an investigative reporter on the special projects team at Consumer Reports. She has been with CR since 2022, covering product safety. She has previously reported on algorithmic bias, criminal justice, and housing for the Markup and ProPublica, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Reporting in 2017. Send her tips at lauren.kirchner@consumer.org and follow her on X: @lkirchner.