The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued public health advisories warning parents and consumers against buying or using unauthorized squishy dumpling toys sold in retail stores and online platforms across the Philippines, after the products were found to lack mandatory safety certification and were flagged in overseas recalls for containing dangerous levels of benzene.
Toxics watchdog BAN Toxics announced the FDA action on October 29, 2026, commending the agency's move as part of the ongoing observance of Consumer Welfare Month. The group had earlier issued its own consumer alert over the food-like squeezy toys before the FDA stepped in with formal advisories.
Two FDA Advisories Issued Weeks Apart
According to the FDA, the agency issued separate public health advisories on September 14 and September 30, 2026, targeting two specific variants — Squishy Delicious Blue and Squishy Delicious Green, respectively. Both advisories directed the public to refrain from purchasing and using the products.
The FDA said the toys are considered unauthorized because they have not been issued the required Certificate of Product Notification (CPN) — a mandatory clearance under the agency's Toy and Childcare Article (TCCA) regulatory framework. Without the CPN, the FDA stated it cannot assure the quality or safety of the products.
"Since the toys have not undergone the FDA notification process, the agency cannot assure their quality and safety," the advisories stated, warning that potential hazards may arise from ingredients not permitted in toy and childcare article products.
Products Sold in Stores and Online at Low Price Points
The squishy toys are designed to resemble steamed buns or dumplings and have gained significant popularity through online shopping platforms. BAN Toxics said the products are available in various sizes and colors, with some variants containing shiny glitter.
In retail stores, the toys are priced between ₱80 and ₱200. On online shopping platforms, the same products are sold for ₱60 to ₱150, making them accessible and attractive to a wide range of buyers, including young children.
Benzene Found at Excessive Levels in Similar Products Abroad
The FDA advisories were supported by international product recalls that flagged the same category of toys for chemical hazards. Citing the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards, BAN Toxics noted that squishy dumpling toys were recalled in both the United Kingdom and the United States due to excessive concentrations of benzene detected in the product's outer layer.
"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." — UK Office for Product Safety and Standards
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified benzene as a known carcinogen. According to the WHO, "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. Exposure can occur occupationally, in the general environment, and in the home as a result of the widespread use of benzene-containing petroleum products."
Health Risks Cited by the FDA
Beyond benzene, the FDA's advisories identified a broader range of potential health hazards associated with the unauthorized toys. The agency warned that substandard or adulterated toy products may pose risks including endocrine disruption and reproductive or developmental effects — concerns particularly serious for young children whose bodies are still developing.
The FDA also cited physical hazards, warning that small or broken parts from the toys could cause choking or suffocation in young children.
DENR Issues Separate Chemical Control Order for Benzene
Alongside the FDA's action, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued Administrative Order No. 2026-29, known as the Chemical Control Order for Benzene. The order explicitly prohibits the use of benzene in toys and other children's products sold or distributed in the Philippines.
BAN Toxics Advocacy and Campaign Officer Thony Dizon welcomed both regulatory moves. "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 released on October 29, 2026.
"It is high time for government agencies to enforce the law and immediately recall and remove the products from the market," Dizon added.
Toy Safety Law Sets Mandatory Labeling Requirements
The regulatory actions are grounded in Republic Act No. 10620, also known as the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013. The law mandates that all toys and games — whether locally manufactured or imported, distributed, donated, or sold in the Philippines — must comply with applicable safety labeling and manufacturer's marking requirements under the Philippine National Standards (PNS) for toy safety.
Failure to secure a CPN from the FDA prior to sale or distribution constitutes a violation of this framework, placing both the importer and the seller at legal risk.
BAN Toxics Urges Parents to Avoid Unauthorized Products
BAN Toxics reminded parents and consumers to refrain from purchasing any unauthorized squishy toys to reduce the risk of toxic exposure among children. The group said the products continue to be sold in retail stores and through online shopping platforms despite the FDA's advisories, underscoring the need for active consumer vigilance and stronger market enforcement.
Consumers who encounter the products for sale may file a complaint or report with the FDA through its official channels at fda.gov.ph.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of BAN Toxics