Parents across the United States are being urged to check their children's toy boxes immediately following a massive nationwide recall of more than 121,000 squeeze toys sold at Walmart and Ollie's Bargain Outlet. The recall was sparked by fears that the toys may contain asbestos, a dangerous material linked to serious respiratory illnesses and cancer.
Recall Details
The alarming recall involves popular 'Funkee Monkee' squishy toys manufactured by Canadian company The Orb Factory. U.S. safety regulators warned that the products may contain fibrous tremolite asbestos, a hazardous substance that can cause severe health issues. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the toys pose a 'risk of serious injury or death from asbestos exposure' if the sand filling inside the stretchy monkey-shaped toys leaks or becomes airborne.
The recall covers two products with the date code 3102491A: the large gold-colored 'Orb Funkee Gold Jumbo Monkee' and the smaller 'Orb Funkee Monkee' toys sold in bright colors including orange, purple, and green. Officials said the toys were sold nationwide between February 2025 and April 2026 for prices ranging from $5 to $40.
Distribution and Popularity
The products were manufactured in China and distributed across the U.S. through Walmart and Ollie's Bargain Outlet stores. They became popular among children drawn to the soft, stretchy sensory toys. While no injuries or illnesses have been reported so far, health experts warn that asbestos exposure is not something families should ignore.
Health Risks of Asbestos
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to devastating long-term illnesses, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pleural disease. The microscopic fibers can become trapped in the lungs after being inhaled, sometimes causing health problems years later. Safety officials are particularly concerned because squeeze toys are often handled closely to the face, squeezed repeatedly, or accidentally punctured by children.
Consumer fears around squishy sensory toys have already been growing online in recent months, with several viral videos warning about questionable materials and leaking fillings inside popular stress toys and fidget products.
Refund Instructions
The recall instructions are unusually detailed due to the contamination risk. Consumers are told to immediately take the recalled toys away from children, stop using them, and contact The Orb Factory for a refund. For toys that are still intact, customers must place the product into a heavy-duty plastic bag, seal it securely with tape, and email photographic proof to the company before receiving reimbursement. If a toy has ruptured or leaked sand, the company advises consumers to wear gloves and a mask while cleaning the area with damp cloths to avoid spreading dust particles into the air. The toy, cleanup materials, and protective gear should then be double-bagged and disposed of according to local hazardous waste rules.
Broader Context
This incident is the latest in a string of toy recalls tied to potentially hazardous materials. Earlier this year, Australian retailer Toymate pulled several children's sensory products from shelves over similar asbestos concerns. Other squishy toys sold online have also faced scrutiny after parents raised alarms about chemical odors and leaking substances. The Orb Factory has not publicly commented beyond issuing refund instructions tied to the recall. The recall number issued by the CPSC is 26-499.
Parents concerned about whether they own one of the recalled toys are urged to check the date code printed on the hand of the gold monkey toy or on the back of the smaller multicolored versions. Consumer safety experts say anyone who suspects a toy has been damaged should avoid vacuuming spilled material, as this could potentially release particles into the air.
