One father was alarmed after testing a well-known children’s toy and discovering the level of chemicals it appeared to release, following a warning urging parents to get rid of the item.
Concerns have recently been raised over the popular ‘squishy dumpling’ toy, which has become increasingly common among children.
In the UK, Trading Standards issued a product recall for “Squeezy Dumplings” sold by Samsons Cash and Carry Ltd after tests found the outer layer contained an excess concentration of benzene. The recall notice said the product presented a serious chemical risk and advised owners to stop using it and keep it out of reach of children.
The American Cancer Society describes Benzene as a ‘colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor’ and notes that it is among the 20 chemicals most commonly used in the US.
Contact with Benzene and similar substances has been associated with a greater risk of leukemia, along with other cancers affecting blood cells.
Those concerns have also prompted local trading standards teams across the UK to warn parents about counterfeit squishy-style toys, saying some versions have been found to give off unusual chemical smells and may contain other volatile organic compounds.
Northumberland County Councillor Gordon Stewart, Cabinet Member for Public Safety, said in a statement:
“The safety of our children must always come first, and we are issuing this important warning to consumers, especially parents – to remain vigilant when purchasing any toys to ensure they are buying the genuine product.”
After hearing about the concerns, Canada-based father Jordan Collinet decided to run his own test on the toys using a monitor that measures volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are chemicals that can easily enter the air at room temperature.
To carry out the experiment, Jordan sealed two dumpling toys inside a zip-lock bag along with the VOC meter to check whether they were emitting chemicals. What he found left him stunned.
Jordan explained that the packaging for the toys claimed they were suitable for children aged three and older, but he noticed a ‘strong chemical smell’ as soon as he handled them.
“I did not think it would be this bad,” Jordan said in the TikTok video, which has now been viewed over 7,000,000 times.
“We are at a serious level. VOCs at 6.7 – in the sixes range – of milligrams per meters cubed.”
He then removed the device from the sealed bag to compare the result with the air in his home, where the reading was roughly 0.50 TVOC.
The father also tested another squishy toy from a different brand. According to Jordan, that version pushed the VOC meter to its highest possible reading of 9.999.
Jordan says he has approached Health Canada to express his concerns about the toys.
Health Canada says toys sold in Canada must comply with the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act and Toys Regulations, and that consumers should be cautious with toys that have missing safety information, poor packaging, or strong chemical odors. The department also warns that toys containing benzene are prohibited under Canadian toy safety rules, subject to specific conditions in the regulations.
Officials in several UK councils have also urged shoppers to buy only from reputable retailers, check for CE or UKCA markings, and avoid products that look suspiciously cheap or have poor-quality packaging.
Parents who already bought a squishy dumpling-style toy are being advised to check whether it matches any official recall notice, stop using it if it smells strongly chemical or lacks proper safety markings, and keep it away from young children until its safety is confirmed.