A popular line of squeeze toys sold at Walmart and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is being recalled over concerns they may contain asbestos.
Certain Orb Funkee Squeeze Toys, specifically Funkee Monkees models, may be filled with sand containing fibrous tremolite asbestos. If the toys are damaged or ruptured, the material could be released into the air and potentially inhaled, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday.
More than 121,000 units distributed across the U.S. are affected. The recall covers two Orb Funkee squeeze toy models with the date code 3102491A. Both are soft, stretchable “monkee” figures filled with sand. Model 17451 is a large gold monkey, while model 41929 includes smaller multicolored versions in shades such as orange, purple, and green. The date code is printed on the hand of the gold figure and on the back of the smaller toys.
The toys were imported by The Orb Factory and sold at Walmart and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet stores nationwide from February 2025 through April 2026 for between $5 and $40.
No injuries have been reported, but officials warn that asbestos exposure can pose serious health risks, including respiratory disease and cancer.
Consumers are urged to immediately stop using the recalled toys and keep them away from children. They should contact The Orb Factory for a refund and verify the product’s code and lot number.
For intact toys, consumers must place the item in a heavy-duty plastic bag, seal it with tape and email a photo of the bagged product to customerservice@orbtoys.com as proof of disposal before receiving a refund.
If a toy is damaged or leaking sand, consumers are advised to wear a mask and gloves, carefully clean up any spilled material with damp cloths, and place the toy, cleanup materials, and protective gear into a heavy-duty bag. That bag should be sealed, double-bagged, taped shut and disposed of according to local or state hazardous waste rules.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral classified as a carcinogen and banned in many consumer products. It can be released when materials containing it break down or are disturbed, allowing microscopic fibers to become airborne and potentially inhaled, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Once in the lungs, these fibers can become trapped and cause serious long-term health effects, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, a scarring of lung tissue, and pleural disease, which affects the lining around the lungs and chest cavity.