If your child owns a squishy toy, you may be wondering whether it’s safe to keep using. On August 5, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning about fake and counterfeit squishy toys, along with a dangerous social-media practice of heating squishies in the microwave.
The bottom line first: do not intentionally heat a squishy toy in a microwave, near a heater, or with any other heat source. And this announcement does not mean that “all squishy toys are dangerous.”
The CPSC says it stopped 55 shipments—355,683 units in total—of violative squishy toys from entering the country at U.S. ports. There’s no need to panic at home. Instead, check the seller, the safety labeling, whether there’s any damage or leakage, and how your child is actually playing with the toy.
（Source：Consumer Safety Alert: CPSC Warns Consumers About Fake and Counterfeit Squishy Toys; Reiterates Warning About Serious Burn Hazards | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission）
This article lays out what the CPSC warned about, how to check products that are fake or hard to verify for safety, whether the warning applies to Mellojoy (a popular brand in Japan), the ingestion risk from water beads, and Japan’s PSC mark system.
Table of Contents
Why did the U.S. CPSC warn about squishy toys? Over 350,000 violative units stopped at the border
On August 5, 2026, the U.S. CPSC issued a consumer warning about fake and counterfeit squishy toys and dangerous heating practices. At U.S. ports, it blocked 55 shipments—355,683 units—of violative squishy toys from entering.
The warning date is August 5, 2026
According to the CPSC, squishy toys shaped like animals, food, characters, and so on are sold in a wide range of places, including online marketplaces, social media, and discount stores.
At the same time, some counterfeit and imitation products have been found not to meet U.S. safety requirements for children’s toys.
The CPSC specifically cites violations involving water beads, small parts, lead, and phthalates, as well as cases lacking required manufacturer information, age grading, safety warnings, and tracking information.
（Source：Consumer Safety Alert: CPSC Warns Consumers About Fake and Counterfeit Squishy Toys; Reiterates Warning About Serious Burn Hazards | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission）
55 shipments and 355,683 violative units stopped
The CPSC announced that it identified 55 shipments of violative squishy toys at U.S. ports and stopped 355,683 units from entering the country. It also issued notices of violation to the businesses involved in importing and selling them.
（Source：Consumer Safety Alert: CPSC Warns Consumers About Fake and Counterfeit Squishy Toys; Reiterates Warning About Serious Burn Hazards | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission）
One thing to be careful about here is that you should not describe all 355,683 units as counterfeit. The CPSC’s announcement describes this quantity as “violative squishy toys”—that is, squishy toys that violate the standards.
In the news, it’s the big number that tends to catch the eye, but counterfeits and imitations, safety-standard violations, and dangerous use each need to be considered separately.
This isn’t a warning that all squishy toys are dangerous
This CPSC announcement did not determine that the category of squishy toys itself is dangerous.
The warning focuses on issues such as these.
- Counterfeits and imitations that don’t meet safety standards
- Products where you can’t verify the manufacturer or safety information
- Products with problems such as tears, holes, or leaks
- Intentionally heating them in a microwave or similar
Editor’s note
What concerns me most in this news is that a toy’s safety is no longer determined by “the product itself” alone.
Traditionally, toy safety checks focused mainly on the age grading and the warnings printed on the packaging. But now, children sometimes learn “new ways to play” the maker never intended from TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and the like.
Even if there’s nothing wrong with the product itself, a change in how it’s used creates a different accident risk. That’s exactly why I think being able to ask your child “Have you seen any new ways people are using this toy online?”—not just “it’s popular, so it’s banned”—matters in toy safety today.
Why shouldn’t you put a squishy toy in the microwave?
Avoid heating squishy toys in the microwave. The CPSC warns that a heated squishy can burst, and that its very hot contents sticking to the skin can lead to serious burns.
Videos showing squishies inflating or changing texture spread on social media
The CPSC is cautioning about a social-media trend of children and teens heating squishy toys in the microwave.
When a squishy is warmed, it may inflate, change texture, or burst—changes that are easy to see in a video, which can make the clips tempting to imitate.
But the CPSC clearly warns against imitating this kind of heating.
（Source：Consumer Safety Alert: CPSC Warns Consumers About Fake and Counterfeit Squishy Toys; Reiterates Warning About Serious Burn Hazards | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission）
You don’t need to deny a child’s curiosity itself. Rather than ending with “it’s dangerous, so no,” telling them the reason too—”we don’t try this in the microwave because there’s no telling how hot the inside gets”—makes it easier for them to judge for themselves when they see another video.
Hot contents sticking to the skin can cause burns
The contents of a squishy vary by product. Many different materials are used—gel, liquid, powder, sand, water beads, and more.
The CPSC points out that heating a squishy can cause it to burst, and that the hot contents sticking to the skin can lead to serious burns. Sticky filling in particular can stay in contact with the skin and keep transferring heat.
（Source：Consumer Safety Alert: CPSC Warns Consumers About Fake and Counterfeit Squishy Toys; Reiterates Warning About Serious Burn Hazards | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission）
In addition, in testing carried out by Consumer Reports in 2025, when some of the squishy toys examined were heated in a microwave, there were cases where they burst in about 15 seconds and the contents exceeded 200°F (about 93°C).
This doesn’t mean that all squishy toys reach the same temperature in 15 seconds. But it’s a concrete example of why you shouldn’t try it thinking “just a little is fine.”
（Source：Squishy Fidget Toys Can Be a Sticky Mess—or Worse | Consumer Reports）
Not just microwaves—watch out for hot cars, direct sun, and heaters too
It isn’t only microwaves to be careful of.
The CPSC advises keeping squishy toys away from high-heat environments such as these.
- Hot car interiors
- Long periods in direct sunlight
- Near heaters
- Other places or surfaces that get hot
In summer especially, children sometimes leave toys in the back seat of a car or inside a bag. Teach both rules together: don’t microwave squishies, and don’t leave them in places that get hot.
（Source：Consumer Safety Alert: CPSC Warns Consumers About Fake and Counterfeit Squishy Toys; Reiterates Warning About Serious Burn Hazards | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission）
How can you spot a counterfeit or potentially unsafe squishy?
You usually can’t tell whether a squishy is counterfeit just by looking at it. It’s more realistic to check a combination of things: the maker, the seller, the age grading, the safety labeling, the packaging, and the condition of the product.
Warning signs the CPSC says to watch for
The CPSC advises stopping use of squishy toys with characteristics like the following.
- You can’t verify the manufacturer or importer
- There’s no age grading or required safety information
- The packaging has unnatural typos or poor-quality printing
- It has a strong chemical smell
- It’s oily, or unusually sticky
- The contents are leaking
- It tears easily
- It has holes or cracks
- You can see discoloration or deterioration
Matching one item doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a fake. Think of this not as a way to definitively prove authenticity, but as a checklist for deciding whether your child should keep using it.
（Source：Consumer Safety Alert: CPSC Warns Consumers About Fake and Counterfeit Squishy Toys; Reiterates Warning About Serious Burn Hazards | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission）
A low price alone doesn’t make something a fake
The CPSC also lists products priced far below the usual selling price as one point to watch.
However, “cheap = fake” isn’t true. Conversely, expensive doesn’t always mean safe, either.
When buying through online shopping or secondhand resale, it’s important to check not just the price but also the seller’s name, contact details, return information, manufacturer/importer information, age grading, and cautions.
（Source：Consumer Safety Alert: CPSC Warns Consumers About Fake and Counterfeit Squishy Toys; Reiterates Warning About Serious Burn Hazards | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission）
Is Mellojoy dangerous? Don’t judge by brand name alone
Some readers may be searching “Mellojoy dangerous” or “Mellojoy fake.”
However, the text of this CPSC warning, published on August 5, 2026, does not mention the brand name Mellojoy / Melojoy. So you can’t interpret it as “the CPSC warned that Mellojoy itself is a dangerous product.”
（Source：Consumer Safety Alert: CPSC Warns Consumers About Fake and Counterfeit Squishy Toys; Reiterates Warning About Serious Burn Hazards | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission）
For toys like Mellojoy that grow popular through social media and live commerce, you need to separate concerns about the product itself from concerns about where it was sold and whether it may be counterfeit.
Rather than judging safe-versus-dangerous by a specific brand name alone, check the specific item you actually have—its seller, manufacturer information, safety labeling, and whether there’s any damage.
Editor’s note
In toy booms that start on social media, safety now depends not just on “what’s popular,” but on “where you buy it” and “how it’s being used on social media.”
That said, there’s no need to reject wholesale a trend your child is absorbed in. Turning it into a chance to check together—”Where did you get this?” “Is this okay to heat?”—leads, over the long run, to your child’s own ability to judge safety.
A comparison table for checking the product in your hands
At home, rather than trying to completely authenticate “genuine or fake,” it’s more practical to go through the information you can verify and the product’s condition in order.
| Check item | What looks reassuring | Warning signs | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer / importer | You can verify the name and contact details | The maker, etc. is unknown | Check the packaging and sales page |
| Age grading / cautions | They’re displayed | No display can be found | Check before giving it to your child |
| Packaging | The needed information is legible | Typos, poor printing, or missing information | Check the maker and seller |
| The item itself | No holes or tears | Damage, cracks, or leaks | Stop using it |
| Smell | Nothing seems unusual | A strong chemical smell | Stop using and check |
| Surface | Normal condition | Unusually oily or sticky | Stop using and check |
| Contents | Not coming out | Gel, beads, etc. are leaking | Keep it away from the child |
| Exposure to high heat | Not heated | Placed in a microwave or hot environment | Stop using and check its condition |
Squishies containing water beads: watch for swallowing risks if they tear
Some squishy toys use water beads, gel, and the like. Especially if water-absorbing beads or similar filling leaks out, care is needed so that infants and toddlers don’t swallow it.
What are water beads?
The CPSC explains that water beads are small pieces made of a superabsorbent polymer that absorbs water, and that some swell greatly when they come into contact with water.
When dry they’re extremely small and can be hard to find even if they fall on the floor. If accidentally swallowed, they can swell inside the body and lead to problems such as intestinal blockage.
（Source：Water Beads Information Center | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission）
Accidents leading to intestinal blockage have been reported in Japan too
Ingestion of water-swelling resin products isn’t only a problem abroad.
The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (NCAC) has warned about an accident in which an infant swallowed a water-swelling resin product that expanded inside the digestive tract, caused an intestinal blockage, and required open surgery.
It also advises seeing a medical institution immediately not only when you notice that a child has swallowed something, but also when you suspect they may have.
（Source：Beware of infants swallowing water-swelling ball-shaped resin toys! (Follow-up) | National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan）
Even if the older child meets the age grading, watch out for younger siblings
Even if a primary-school child themselves meets the age grading, the risk changes if there’s also a baby or toddler aged 0–2 in the same household.
An older child may tear open a squishy, leaving beads or filling on the floor where a younger sibling can then pick them up.
Beyond the toy’s age grading, it’s important to check “who in the home could come into contact with it,” too.
What should you check when buying a squishy in Japan?
Japan uses different PSC safety-mark requirements depending on the product category and the intended age group. PSC is Japan’s mandatory product-safety mark system, so it isn’t the case that “all water-bead squishies fall under the same PSC system”—it’s important to understand the systems separately.
For toys aimed at children under 3, check the “Children’s PSC Mark”
In Japan, from December 25, 2025, a Children’s PSC Mark system covering “toys for infants and toddlers” aimed at children under 3 has begun.
For covered products manufactured or imported on or after December 25, 2025, in addition to conforming to technical standards set by the government, they must display the age grading and cautions for use, and display the Children’s PSC Mark showing that they meet the standards.
（Source：A new system for children’s products, the “Children’s PSC Mark,” has started! | Consumer Affairs Agency）
However, for toys aimed at children under 3 that were manufactured or imported before December 25, 2025, the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) advises that they can be sold even without the Children’s PSC Mark.
So “no Children’s PSC Mark” does not mean “immediately an illegal product.”
The ST Mark can also help when choosing a toy
On toys, you may also see the “ST Mark.”
The ST Mark can be displayed on toys that have passed a conformity inspection by a third-party testing organization against the ST standards set by the Japan Toy Association.
The CAA also advises using ST Mark products as a reference when choosing toys aimed at children under 3 that were manufactured or imported before December 25, 2025.
（Source：A new system for children’s products, the “Children’s PSC Mark,” has started! | Consumer Affairs Agency）
Of course, a mark alone doesn’t mean “absolutely safe no matter how it’s used.” Safety marks are only one part of the picture; parents should also follow the age grading and cautions and stop using a damaged product.
Note that in Japan, water-absorbing synthetic-resin toys that meet certain conditions—such as “water-expanding balls”—have been designated as specified products under the Consumer Product Safety Act since June 19, 2023. After the transition period ended, from December 19, 2023, covered products can only be sold if they display the PSC Mark.
（Source：Does it have a PSC Mark? | Tokyo Kurashi WEB）
However, just because a squishy contains water beads doesn’t mean all of them immediately fall under this “water-absorbing synthetic-resin toy” regulation. Each product’s category is judged by the product’s structure and legal requirements.
When buying online, check the seller—not just the product
When choosing a squishy through online shopping, check not just the product photos but also who is selling it.
- Whether you can verify the seller’s name and contact details
- Whether you can verify the manufacturer / importer
- Whether the return method is clearly stated
- Whether the age grading is displayed
- Whether you can check the safety cautions
You can’t judge safety by the platform alone—Amazon, Temu, SHEIN, TikTok Shop, flea-market apps, and so on. Even within the same platform, sellers and products differ.
30-second safety check for squishies at home
- You can verify the maker / seller
- You can verify the age grading
- Cautions are displayed
- No holes or cracks
- No leaking contents
- No unusual oiliness or stickiness
- No strong chemical smell
- Not heated in a microwave or similar
- Not left in a hot car or near a heater
- Managed so infants and toddlers can’t reach the contents
What should you do if one tears, leaks, or causes a burn?
Stop using any squishy that’s damaged or leaking, and keep it away from your child. If a burn or water-bead ingestion is suspected, respond according to the guidance of public agencies.
If you find a tear or leak
The CPSC advises stopping use of squishy toys that have developed tears, holes, or leaks, and not letting children touch the damaged product or the spilled contents.
（Source：Consumer Safety Alert: CPSC Warns Consumers About Fake and Counterfeit Squishy Toys; Reiterates Warning About Serious Burn Hazards | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission）
For a product whose contents are unknown, rather than repairing it with tape or glue and giving it back to your child, it’s safer to stop using it and check the guidance from the maker or seller.
If a burn occurs
If a burn occurs, first move to a safe place and cool it with running water.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) advises that if blisters form, cool them without popping them, and that with deep burns—where the skin turns white or is charred black and there’s little pain—you should see a medical institution even if there’s no pain. If a burn happens through clothing, care is also needed not to damage blisters by forcibly removing the clothing.
（Source：First-aid web course: treating burns | Fire and Disaster Management Agency, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications）
For a wide-area burn, a deep burn, a burn to an important area such as the face, or if your child seems unwell, connect quickly to a medical institution or to 119 (the emergency number in Japan).
If there’s a possibility that water beads or similar were swallowed
If there’s a possibility that a water-swelling resin product was swallowed, don’t keep waiting and watching on your own judgment just because there are no symptoms.
The NCAC advises seeing a medical institution immediately not only when you notice ingestion but also when you suspect it.
（Source：Beware of infants swallowing water-swelling ball-shaped resin toys! (Follow-up) | National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan）
Frequently asked questions about squishy safety
Here we organize the points parents tend to hesitate over: “Should I throw them all away?” “Is Mellojoy dangerous?” “What about ones bought online?” and more.
- Q. Is it okay to microwave a squishy just a little?
- A. Do not intentionally heat it in a microwave. The CPSC warns of the risk of bursting and serious burns from very hot contents.
- Q. Are all squishy toys dangerous?
- A. No. This CPSC warning does not mean all squishy toys are dangerous. The main things to watch are counterfeits and imitations, violative products, damaged products, and dangerous heating.
- Q. Is Mellojoy a dangerous toy?
- A. You can’t judge the entire Mellojoy brand as dangerous based on this CPSC warning alone. The text of the August 5, 2026 CPSC warning does not mention the brand name Mellojoy / Melojoy.
- Q. How can I tell a fake squishy?
- A. You usually can’t tell just by looking at it. Check a combination of things: manufacturer/importer information, age grading, safety cautions, packaging, smell, stickiness, and whether there’s damage or leakage.
- Q. Are squishies bought on Amazon or flea-market apps dangerous?
- A. You can’t judge safety based on the platform alone. Since sellers and products differ even within the same service, check the seller information, manufacturer, age grading, product condition, and so on.
- Q. What should I do if it has a strong smell?
- A. Stop using it for now. The CPSC lists a strong chemical smell as one sign for deciding to stop use.
- Q. If the contents come out, can I fix it with tape and keep using it?
- A. Don’t let your child keep using it as-is; stop using it. Because the contents may be unknown, check the guidance from the maker or seller.
- Q. What should I do if there’s a possibility water beads were swallowed?
- A. See a medical institution immediately, even if there are no symptoms. The NCAC warns that you should seek care even at the stage of suspecting ingestion.
- Q. Which safety mark should I check when buying in Japan?
- A. It depends on the product category and the age grading. For toys aimed at children under 3, you can check for the Children’s PSC Mark on covered products manufactured or imported on or after December 25, 2025. The ST Mark is also a reference when choosing toys. Products that qualify as water-absorbing synthetic-resin toys fall under a separate PSC system.
Seeing this CPSC warning, some readers may have become anxious and thought, “Maybe it’s better not to buy squishies anymore.”
But what’s needed isn’t to keep away from popular toys across the board.
Don’t heat them in a microwave or similar. Look at the seller and the safety labeling. Check for damage and leaks. Keep products whose contents—such as water beads—have come out away from infants and toddlers.
Start by checking these basics.
From the TamagoDaruma editorial team
Social media is changing the way children discover and use toys faster than ever. The cautions written on a product’s packaging alone sometimes can’t tell you how a child is actually playing with it.
On the other hand, if you treat every trend as “dangerous, so banned,” children may become less willing to tell their parents what they’re seeing or trying online. Being able to have a conversation—”Where did you learn that way of playing?” “Let’s look into whether it’s safe together”—is also part of safety education going forward.
Rather than flatly rejecting your child’s trends, let’s check the information we need as parents and make decisions that fit your own family.
