Squishy Dumplings Under Fire Over Potentially Toxic Contents

The colorful squishy dumpling toys that have taken children’s playgrounds and social media by storm are facing mounting scrutiny over potentially toxic contents. Belgian authorities have launched an investigation, major retailers have pulled the products from shelves, and a serious incident in France has left an 8-year-old boy with severe burns after one of the toys exploded on him.

A Viral Trend With a Chemical Scent

Squishy dumplings are soft, squeezable stress-ball toys shaped like Asian dumplings (bao buns), sold in “blind boxes” where buyers don’t know which variant they’ll get. The unboxing trend has gone viral on TikTok, with children and teenagers collecting them and seeking rare glitter variants. But the toys’ popularity has been accompanied by a persistent chemical odor that has alarmed parents and consumer safety organizations.

According to RTBF, the Belgian Federal Public Service Economy (SPF Economie) has received numerous consumer reports about a “pronounced chemical odor” from some of these products and has launched an investigation. As of August 6, no ban or recall has been issued because “no element indicates a serious health risk,” but the investigation is ongoing.

KU Leuven Study Finds Potentially Carcinogenic Substances

The concerns were amplified in July when Het Laatste Nieuws (HLN) commissioned toxicologist Professor Jan Tytgat of KU Leuven to test three squishy dumplings purchased from different retailers. All three contained potentially carcinogenic substances including xylene, benzene derivatives, and naphthalene derivatives — products naturally found in crude oil.

“Our analyses show that potentially carcinogenic substances are detectable,” Tytgat told HLN. “These include xylene, benzene derivatives, and naphthalene derivatives: products naturally found in crude oil.”

Tytgat drew a stark comparison: “We as adults don’t just touch gasoline with bare hands. You won’t get sick immediately or die, but it’s not healthy. I have the same feeling about these dumplings. I don’t think it’s appropriate for children to play with them.”

The toxicologist also questioned the CE label found on one of the tested products, noting that “when we see fractions of crude oil in there that can irritate children’s hands, I question that certification. As far as I’m concerned, those substances don’t belong under that label.”

Serious Incident in France Raises Alarm

On August 2, an 8-year-old boy named Melvyn from Saint-Omer in northern France was severely burned — with second-degree burns on his face and torso — when a squishy toy “exploded” on him. The toy, a “Cool Mix Supergel” anti-stress cube purchased from Smyths Toys in Arques, was given to him the day before for his birthday.

His mother, Nancy Lorio, posted about the incident on Facebook, where it went viral. “My son’s face is getting better; it’s healing,” she told RTBF. “However, for his torso, he will need a skin graft next week.” The boy was treated at the burn center at CHU de Lille under general anesthesia.

Lorio has filed a complaint against the store and questioned the safety of the product: “Should the product inside be so toxic when this toy is intended for children aged 3 and up?”

According to RMC Conso, the toy had CE marking, raising questions about the effectiveness of EU safety certification. Consumer Reports has found that some such products have a pH near 2 — as acidic as lemon juice or vinegar — meaning the burn could be chemical as well as thermal.

Retailer Recalls Across Europe

Following the KU Leuven study results, several Belgian retailers — including Delhaize, Carrefour, Standaard Boekhandel, and Club — removed squishy dumplings from their shelves in July. In the Netherlands, Bol.com and Bruna also stopped selling the toys as a precaution, as NOS reported.

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) found Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in tested products. “Even in small quantities, these compounds can emit a chemical odor,” the NVWA stated. “In larger quantities and with prolonged exposure, they can notably cause respiratory irritation.” The authority confirmed further investigation is ongoing.

In the United Kingdom, the Office for Product Safety and Standards issued a product recall on June 25 for “Squeezy Dumplings” sold by Samsons Cash and Carry Ltd in Cardiff. The UK government recall notice stated the product presented a “serious chemical risk” because the outer layer contained an excess concentration of benzene (20mg/kg). The products were of Chinese origin.

Both the SPF Economie and the NVWA have warned against a dangerous social media trend of heating squishy dumplings in the microwave to make them softer. The contents can become extremely hot, and if pressure is applied, the toy can explode, causing severe burns. A 13-year-old in Belgium already suffered burns to face and neck from this practice, as confirmed by Oscare, the Belgian expertise center for burn victims.

Long-Standing Concerns

This is not the first time squishy-type toys have raised safety alarms. As far back as 2018, the Belgian consumer organization Testachats warned “Squishies, non merci!” after a Danish study found dangerous chemicals — including dimethylformamide, styrene, and toluene — in all 12 squishies tested. The organization advises parents “not to buy toys lacking CE marking or other certification” and to avoid “online sales sites offering extremely low prices.”

More recently, in December 2025, the US consumer advocacy magazine Consumer Reports reported that squishy fidget toys frequently tear open unexpectedly, exposing children to sticky, viscous gel. Parents reported severe skin or eye irritation. The magazine noted that “non-toxic” claims by manufacturers are poorly regulated and meaningless.

What’s Next

The SPF Economie investigation is ongoing, and the results will determine whether further measures — including potential bans or recalls — are necessary. The NVWA is also continuing its laboratory analysis of the products.

For parents, experts offer practical advice. Toxicologist Paul Scheepers of Radboud University in the Netherlands put it simply: “A product that really stinks, you should just throw away immediately.” Professor Tytgat echoed this sentiment, advising parents that if a squishy dumpling “smells strongly of petroleum or chemical products,” it should be set aside or thrown away.

As the investigation unfolds, the case raises broader questions about the effectiveness of CE certification and the regulatory framework governing toys sold across the European Union — particularly those imported from outside the bloc. The outcome could have significant implications for how these popular toys are regulated and sold in the future.