Parents and shoppers across the Philippines are being urged to avoid squishy dumpling toys currently available in retail outlets and on e-commerce platforms, after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that the products carry no mandatory safety clearance and have been linked to international recalls over hazardous benzene concentrations.
Dual Advisories Released Weeks Apart
The FDA released two separate public health advisories — on September 14 and September 30, 2026 — covering two product variants identified as Squishy Delicious Blue and Squishy Delicious Green, respectively. Both advisories called on the public to stop purchasing and using the items.
The FDA explained that neither variant has been issued a Certificate of Product Notification (CPN), which is the mandatory clearance required under the agency's Toy and Childcare Article (TCCA) regulatory framework. "Since the toys have not undergone the FDA notification process, the agency cannot assure their quality and safety," the advisories stated, adding that ingredients not permitted in toy and childcare articles may be present.
BAN Toxics Commends Regulatory Action
Toxics watchdog BAN Toxics announced the FDA's advisories on October 29, 2026, framing the agency's move as part of the observance of Consumer Welfare Month. The group noted that it had already issued its own consumer alert about the food-like squeeze toys before the FDA formally stepped in.
BAN Toxics Advocacy and Campaign Officer Thony Dizon expressed support for the regulatory steps taken. "We laud the FDA and the DENR for their regulatory actions against unauthorized toys that may contain chemicals that pose risks to a child's health and development," Dizon said in a statement dated October 29, 2026. He added: "It is high time for government agencies to enforce the law and immediately recall and remove the products from the market."
Where the Toys Are Sold and at What Cost
According to BAN Toxics, the squishy toys are modelled after steamed buns or dumplings and have become widely popular on online shopping platforms. The products come in various sizes and colors, with certain variants featuring shiny glitter. In physical retail stores, the toys are priced between ₱80 and ₱200, while online listings offer them for as low as ₱60 up to ₱150.
International Recalls Cite Excessive Benzene
Overseas product recalls have flagged the same toy category for chemical hazards. BAN Toxics, citing the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards, reported that squishy dumpling toys were recalled in both the United Kingdom and the United States after testing revealed excessive benzene levels in the products' outer layers.
The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards stated: "The product presents a serious chemical risk because the outer layer contains an excessive concentration of benzene (20 mg/kg). If inhaled, benzene can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. Exposure to large amounts may also cause a burning sensation in the digestive tract and skin irritation."
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified benzene as a known human carcinogen. The WHO has noted that "human exposure to benzene has been associated with a range of acute and long-term adverse health effects and diseases, including cancer and haematological effects," with exposure possible through occupational settings, the general environment, and the home through widespread use of benzene-containing petroleum products.
Other Health Hazards Identified by the FDA
Beyond the risk from benzene, the FDA's advisories flagged a wider set of potential dangers tied to the uncertified toys. The agency warned that substandard or adulterated toy products could cause endocrine disruption and reproductive or developmental harm — risks considered especially serious for young children still in developmental stages. The FDA also cautioned that small or detached parts from the toys could pose choking or suffocation hazards to young users.
DENR Issues Chemical Control Order Targeting Benzene
Alongside the FDA's action, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued Administrative Order No. 2026-29, or the Chemical Control Order for Benzene, which explicitly bans the use of benzene in toys and children's products sold or distributed in the Philippines.
Legal Basis Under Toy Safety Law
The regulatory actions draw their authority from Republic Act No. 10620, the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013. Under this law, all toys and games sold, distributed, donated, or imported into the Philippines — whether locally produced or foreign-made — must comply with safety labeling and manufacturer's marking requirements set by the Philippine National Standards for toy safety. Sellers or importers who distribute products without a CPN from the FDA are exposed to legal liability under this framework.
Consumers Urged to Report Sightings
BAN Toxics reminded the public to avoid purchasing any uncertified squishy toys to protect children from potential toxic exposure. The group noted that despite the FDA's advisories, the products remain visible in retail stores and on online platforms, pointing to the need for both consumer vigilance and stronger market enforcement. Consumers who spot the items still being sold may file a report or complaint through the FDA's official channels at its website.
Source: BAN Toxics