Warning Out on Potential Hazards of Popular Squishy Gel Toys
Not all squishy fidget toys in the market have undergone quality and safety assessment by health authorities.
28 May 2026, Quezon City. As popular squishy gel toys flood local stores, the EcoWaste Coalition warned parents to watch out for safety hazards, particularly when young children are unsupervised.
In Binondo, Manila, the group located toy wholesalers supplying bulk boxes of assorted squishies—including food-shaped novelty items like cookies, donuts, waffles, and potato fries —which retailers flip for ₱15 to ₱30 apiece.
Some of the hazards posed by squishy gel toys, as gathered by the EcoWaste Coalition from reports published by consumer protection organizations in South Korea and the USA, include:
Skin and Eye Irritation. Squishy toys may break or leak due to aggressive handling or contact with sharp objects, which can rupture these toys and release the inner gel. This fluid may be too acidic and cause severe irritation upon contact with the skin or eyes.
Choking. Because of the risk of bursting, children may ingest the fragments, posing a choking hazard. Some squishy toys come with very small parts that can be accidentally ingested or inserted into the nose or ears. Some may even contain expandable water beads, which, if swallowed, can cause airway blockage, intestinal obstruction, and suffocation.
Burns. Improper use of squishy toys, such as microwaving, may cause the toy to break, causing immediate burn hazards.
Off-Gassing. Some squishy toys may contain and emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as dimethylformamide (DMF), which is toxic to the liver and can trigger symptoms, including eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation, dizziness, facial flushing, vomiting, and sleep disorders.
While squishy toys are fun to use and effective for sensory exploration, the EcoWaste Coalition urged parents to only purchase those with market authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Consumers are also advised to watch out for red flags, such as poor labeling information.
By law, FDA-authorized toys have been assessed for quality and safety. Such toys must also carry the following labeling information in accordance with Republic Act No. 10620, or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act, including age grade, cautionary statements, instructional literature, manufacturer details, SKU/Item/Model Number, and the FDA-issued License to Operate (LTO) number.
 |
| While fun and effective for sensory exploration, squishy gel toys may pose health risks, especially for unsupervised children. |
For children’s health and well-being, the EcoWaste Coalition advised parents to heed the following safety tips from the US-based Consumer Reports, which has done an extensive investigation on squishy fidget toys:
- 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.
- 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 toys to break open much more easily, and heating in particular has caused severe burns.
- Don’t leave squishy gel toys in the car. Doing so may cause the toys to heat or cool unexpectedly.
- Act fast if they break. If your child does get material from inside a gel toy on their skin or anywhere else, clean it right off, quickly but gently.
The EcoWaste Coalition further requested the FDA to issue a supplemental advisory on sensory toys with a focus on squishy gel toys and similar playthings. In April 2025, the FDA released Advisory No. 2025-0497, providing reminders on the safe use of sensory toys, such as clay, play-dough, slime, and kinetic sand.
References:
https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/child-safety/squishy-fidget-toys-can-be-a-sticky-mess-or-worse-a1350654856/https://www.isafe.go.kr/english/selectBbsNttView.do?key=594&bbsNo=169&nttNo=33417&searchCtgry=&searchCnd=all&searchKrwd=&pageIndex=10&pageUnit=10&integrDeptCode=
https://www.fda.gov.ph/fda-advisory-no-2025-0497-reminders-on-the-safe-use-of-sensory-toys-clay-play-dough-slime-and-kinetic-sand/
Comments