NVWA provides clarity, no health risks from Squishies
NVWA News Release 24-09-2026 | 11:00
Squishy dumplings do not pose a risk to health. This is the result of research by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). The NVWA investigated the squishies following questions and complaints about the chemical smell of some products.
Squishies are squeezable foam toys in various shapes, such as a dumpling. These dumplings are a global trend on social media. Some squishy dumplings have a strong chemical smell. This is caused by the evaporation of so-called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the toy. Even a very small amount of them can be smelled. The smell is similar to that of gasoline or turpentine.
Risk assessment
The NVWA determined the levels of these volatile substances in 19 different squishies in the laboratory. Small amounts of them were found. Then the Risk Assessment & Research Bureau (BuRO) investigated how dangerous the found levels are.
This risk assessment was based on a very unfavorable scenario. Namely that a child sleeps 10 hours every day in a room in which 10 squishy dumplings with VOCs are lying. In this scenario, there is no health risk if a child inhales the released vapors.
In reality, it is unlikely that a child keeps a lot of toys with an unpleasant smell in the bedroom and sleeps in it. In addition, the volatile substances evaporate in a relatively short time.
Click the link below to read the full article on the NVWA website.
https://www.nvwa.nl/actueel/nieuws/2026/09/24/geen-gezondheidsrisico-bij-squishy-dumplings