Thousands of Orb Funkee Squeeze Toys Recalled Due to Asbestos Contamination

Consumers are being urged to immediately stop using and return certain Orb Funkee squeeze toys due to the potential presence of asbestos. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 121,340 units of these toys have been recalled due to a hazard that could lead to serious injury or death. The toys, imported by The Orb Factory Limited, contain fibrous tremolite, a form of asbestos, within the sand filling. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause significant adverse health effects.

The recall specifically targets two models of Orb Funkee squeeze toys that bear the date code 3102491A. Model 17451 is described as a large, golden-colored monkey, referred to as a “monkee.” Model 41929 is an assortment of smaller “monkee” toys available in various colors, including orange, purple, and green. Consumers can locate the date code on the hand of the golden monkee or on the back of the smaller monkee toys. These toys are made from a soft, stretchable material and are filled with sand. They were sold nationwide at Walmart and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet stores between February 2025 and April 2026, with prices ranging from $5 to $40.

The Orb Factory is offering a full refund to consumers who return the recalled toys. To initiate the refund process, customers are instructed to contact The Orb Factory directly by phone at 800-741-0089 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday), or by email at customerservice@orbtoys.com. Consumers will need to provide the date code and lot number of their toy. The company has also outlined specific instructions for handling the product safely. Consumers are advised to place the toy in a heavy-duty plastic bag, seal it securely with tape, and then submit a photograph of the bagged toy to the provided email address.

In the event that a toy has ruptured or the sand has leaked, consumers are directed to take additional precautions. This includes wearing a mask and gloves, and using damp cloths to carefully clean up any spilled sand. The toy, used cloths, mask, and gloves should then be placed inside a heavy-duty plastic bag, which should then be double-bagged by placing it into a second bag. This outer bag must be sealed with tape. The double-bagged waste should then be disposed of according to local and/or state regulations. As of the recall announcement, no incidents or injuries related to this specific product have been reported.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

---