Squishy dumplings are having their viral Labubu moment. But here's the catch
The internet can't stop squishing these dumpling toys, but UK officials are raising red flags about the counterfeit versions. Meanwhile, the trend is catching on in India too.
Imagine two little innocent eyes and one cute, smiley dumpling staring at you. No, you can't eat it. But you can definitely squish it.
That's the 'squishy dumpling' for you — a vibrant-coloured little toy that has squished its way into being internet's latest craze. After Labubus and Mirumis, this soft, gel-filled toy is the newest collectible capturing the attention of both kids and kidults alike.
But what's all the hype about?
First, the toy comes packaged in a tiny bamboo-style steamer, exactly the way a dumpling is supposed to arrive. And this is the new entrant into the blind-box universe. Open the box and you'll be greeted by a surprise. Will it be pink? Blue? Glitter-filled? No glitter?
Second, is the squeeze. Soft, squishy and oddly satisfying, it's the kind of toy that's hard to put down once it's in your hands.
Beyond the charm, some online claims suggest that these squishies can also work as sensory toys, helping children stay engaged and even providing a bit of stress relief for adults who can't resist giving them a squeeze.
Cute? Absolutely. Safe? Well, that's where things get a little less clear. Concerns about counterfeit versions and questions about what's actually inside them have made this adorable dumpling a little more worrying than it first appears.
The problem with your viral toy
If the great Labubu invasion has taught us anything, it is that when a toy goes viral, demand quickly outpaces supply. And then the counterfeit versions are not behind. And now, officials are warning that not every squishy dumpling is as sweet as it looks.
Remember Lafufu, the fake twin of Labubu that flooded online marketplaces and local stores as fans scrambled to get their hands on the toy? Some had crooked faces, missing teeth and detachable parts that raised safety concerns. Now, officials in the UK say squishy dumplings may be following a similar path.
According to the Independent, in recent weeks, Trading Standards, a UK authority responsible for product safety and consumer protection, and other UK councils have issued warnings about counterfeit squishy dumplings. Authorities say many fake versions are missing basic safety information and, in some cases, emit a "strong chemical smell often compared to petrol."
The concern isn't really about the squish itself. It's about not knowing what's inside the squish. Tests on some counterfeit toys detected potentially hazardous chemicals, including styrene and xylene compounds, at levels that raised safety concerns.
Another point of contention is the viral social media tricks with the dumplings. Reportedly, some videos on platforms like TikTok encourage children to microwave or freeze them before squeezing them. Safety authorities warn against doing either. If the toy bursts, the gel inside can become extremely hot and may cause burns or skin irritation. Any toy that leaks, tears or splits should be thrown away immediately.
Authorities warn that the food-like appearance raises concerns that young children could mistake them for an actual snack, creating choking or ingestion risks.
So much for a cute innocent dumpling!
How to spot a fake one?
A good place to start is the manufacturer. Genuine Squishy Dumplings are sold by RMS International under its Crazy Fun label. Experts also recommend buying from reputable retailers rather than unknown online sellers or temporary social media shops.
According to consumer safety officials, one of the easiest ways to spot a fake is to trust your nose. If the toy gives off a strong chemical smell, that's a major red flag. Genuine products shouldn't smell like a petrol station.
Other warning signs include missing safety labels, no manufacturer information, the absence of safety markings, poor-quality packaging and unusually cheap prices. Fake dumplings may also feel stickier, lighter or more jelly-like than authentic versions. Their faces can appear slightly warped, smudged or unevenly printed.
But is this just a worry keeping parents in the US and UK up at night? Naturally, we went looking to see if the squishy dumpling wave had washed up on Indian shores too.
The viral squishy toy in India
It exists.
So far, there have been no major public safety warnings about squishy dumplings in India. But the country's toy market isn't immune to knock-offs.
Different versions of the squishy are available across e-commerce websites like Amazon and that too, at a cheaper price. In fact, some of the sellers are highlighting benefits like stress release.
Sensory toys for children and stress-relief tools for adults have become part of everyday conversations as awareness around mental health continues to grow. But that doesn't mean every cute, squishy toy can genuinely help with stress.
A little mindfulness can go a long way. We've learned to read ingredient labels on food and check what's in our drinks. Perhaps it's time to bring that same level of curiosity to the products we buy for fun. Because even when it's just a toy, reading the fine print matters.
Which means the same rule applies here too: if a squishy dumpling or any other such seems suspiciously cheap, smells strange or arrives with little to no safety information, it might be worth resisting the urge to squish.
At least until you know exactly what's inside that adorable little thing.
Imagine two little innocent eyes and one cute, smiley dumpling staring at you. No, you can't eat it. But you can definitely squish it.
That's the 'squishy dumpling' for you — a vibrant-coloured little toy that has squished its way into being internet's latest craze. After Labubus and Mirumis, this soft, gel-filled toy is the newest collectible capturing the attention of both kids and kidults alike.
But what's all the hype about?
First, the toy comes packaged in a tiny bamboo-style steamer, exactly the way a dumpling is supposed to arrive. And this is the new entrant into the blind-box universe. Open the box and you'll be greeted by a surprise. Will it be pink? Blue? Glitter-filled? No glitter?
Second, is the squeeze. Soft, squishy and oddly satisfying, it's the kind of toy that's hard to put down once it's in your hands.
Beyond the charm, some online claims suggest that these squishies can also work as sensory toys, helping children stay engaged and even providing a bit of stress relief for adults who can't resist giving them a squeeze.
Cute? Absolutely. Safe? Well, that's where things get a little less clear. Concerns about counterfeit versions and questions about what's actually inside them have made this adorable dumpling a little more worrying than it first appears.
The problem with your viral toy
If the great Labubu invasion has taught us anything, it is that when a toy goes viral, demand quickly outpaces supply. And then the counterfeit versions are not behind. And now, officials are warning that not every squishy dumpling is as sweet as it looks.
Remember Lafufu, the fake twin of Labubu that flooded online marketplaces and local stores as fans scrambled to get their hands on the toy? Some had crooked faces, missing teeth and detachable parts that raised safety concerns. Now, officials in the UK say squishy dumplings may be following a similar path.
According to the Independent, in recent weeks, Trading Standards, a UK authority responsible for product safety and consumer protection, and other UK councils have issued warnings about counterfeit squishy dumplings. Authorities say many fake versions are missing basic safety information and, in some cases, emit a "strong chemical smell often compared to petrol."
The concern isn't really about the squish itself. It's about not knowing what's inside the squish. Tests on some counterfeit toys detected potentially hazardous chemicals, including styrene and xylene compounds, at levels that raised safety concerns.
Another point of contention is the viral social media tricks with the dumplings. Reportedly, some videos on platforms like TikTok encourage children to microwave or freeze them before squeezing them. Safety authorities warn against doing either. If the toy bursts, the gel inside can become extremely hot and may cause burns or skin irritation. Any toy that leaks, tears or splits should be thrown away immediately.
Authorities warn that the food-like appearance raises concerns that young children could mistake them for an actual snack, creating choking or ingestion risks.
So much for a cute innocent dumpling!
How to spot a fake one?
A good place to start is the manufacturer. Genuine Squishy Dumplings are sold by RMS International under its Crazy Fun label. Experts also recommend buying from reputable retailers rather than unknown online sellers or temporary social media shops.
According to consumer safety officials, one of the easiest ways to spot a fake is to trust your nose. If the toy gives off a strong chemical smell, that's a major red flag. Genuine products shouldn't smell like a petrol station.
Other warning signs include missing safety labels, no manufacturer information, the absence of safety markings, poor-quality packaging and unusually cheap prices. Fake dumplings may also feel stickier, lighter or more jelly-like than authentic versions. Their faces can appear slightly warped, smudged or unevenly printed.
But is this just a worry keeping parents in the US and UK up at night? Naturally, we went looking to see if the squishy dumpling wave had washed up on Indian shores too.
The viral squishy toy in India
It exists.
So far, there have been no major public safety warnings about squishy dumplings in India. But the country's toy market isn't immune to knock-offs.
Different versions of the squishy are available across e-commerce websites like Amazon and that too, at a cheaper price. In fact, some of the sellers are highlighting benefits like stress release.
Sensory toys for children and stress-relief tools for adults have become part of everyday conversations as awareness around mental health continues to grow. But that doesn't mean every cute, squishy toy can genuinely help with stress.
A little mindfulness can go a long way. We've learned to read ingredient labels on food and check what's in our drinks. Perhaps it's time to bring that same level of curiosity to the products we buy for fun. Because even when it's just a toy, reading the fine print matters.
Which means the same rule applies here too: if a squishy dumpling or any other such seems suspiciously cheap, smells strange or arrives with little to no safety information, it might be worth resisting the urge to squish.
At least until you know exactly what's inside that adorable little thing.
