Popular squishy toys marketed as Squishy Dumplings have been urgently recalled in the UK after testing revealed they contain unsafe levels of benzene, a known carcinogen. The toys, manufactured in China and sold by Samsons Cash and Carry, pose a 'serious chemical risk' to children, according to safety regulators.
What happened
The soft bao bun-shaped toys became a viral sensation among children, who collected them in pursuit of ultra-rare shiny versions. However, laboratory analysis found that the outer layer of the smiling dumplings contained an excess concentration of benzene, a colourless, volatile liquid with a sweet odour.
Health risks
Benzene is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), meaning it is carcinogenic to humans. Short-term inhalation can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, causing coughing, hoarseness, and breathing difficulties. Higher exposure may lead to airway swelling, fluid buildup in the lungs, and a burning sensation in the digestive tract. Prolonged exposure is linked to acute myeloid leukaemia and other cancers.
Injuries reported
One victim, 10-year-old Bella, may be scarred for life after her toy burst open, spattering hot liquid onto her face. Some children had been microwaving the toys as part of a bizarre social media trend to soften them. Samsons Cash and Carry has initiated an urgent recall of all units.
Background on benzene
Benzene was historically used in cosmetics, cleaning solvents, and coffee decaffeination, but these uses are now banned due to toxicity. It remains a key industrial chemical for plastics, foams, dyes, detergents, and insecticides.
