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Beware, consumers: “Monkee” business is afoot.
More than 121,000 squishy children’s toys sold at Walmart and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet have been recalled due to “risk of serious injury or death from asbestos exposure,” warns the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
“The recalled Orb Funkee squeeze toys may contain fibrous tremolite (asbestos) in the sand, which can cause adverse health issues if inhaled,” advised the commission in a report, spotlighting the “Orb Funkee Gold Jumbo Monkee” as well as the “Orb Funkee Monkee” in an assortment of “mega” colors as the potentially contaminated items.
The playthings, from The Orb Factory Limited, based in Canada, were manufactured in China.
“This recall involves two models of Orb Funkee squeeze toys with the date code 3102491A,” continued the official findings. “The products are made of a soft, stretchable material and filled with sand.”
“Model 17451 is a large golden monkey (stylized “monkee”), and model 41929 is an assortment of small “monkees” in various colors, including orange, purple and green. The date code can be found on the hand of the golden monkee or the back of the smaller monkees.”
Representatives for The Orb Factory Limited did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
The company is, however, offering customers refunds on the faux monkeys, which have been sold nationwide, from February 2025 through April 2026, at prices ranging from $5 to $40.
“Consumers should take the recalled toys away from children, stop using them immediately and contact The Orb Factory for a refund,” per the brand’s site. “Consumers will be asked to verify the code and lot number of the toy, place the toy in a heavy-duty plastic bag, seal the bag securely with tape, and submit a photo of the product in the bag to [email protected].”
“If the toy has been ruptured or pierced, or the sand has escaped the toy, the Orb Factory has directed consumers to put on a mask and gloves and use damp cloths to pick up any sand that has leaked out; put the toy, cloths, mask and gloves in a heavy-duty plastic bag, then place this bag into a second bag (double-bagging) that is to be sealed with tape,” the bulletin reads. “Consumers should then dispose of the bag in accordance with local and/or state regulations.”
When it comes to asbestos exposure, there’s no room for kidding around, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“People who have contact with asbestos are at risk of developing health problems,” say the experts, noting lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis and pleural disease as possible ramifications.
There have been no reports of injury or death related to the Orb Funkee squeeze toys as of Friday, May 22.
The recall comes shortly after “The Wonder Co Scoop & Play Ice cream sensory bin” and “Scoop & Play Dino discovery sensory bin,” by Australian retailer Toymate, were yanked from shelves over asbestos-related concerns in January.
Squishy dumplings, a social media-popular plushy manufactured by Tnearc toys, have similarly caught flak for allegedly secreting toxic amounts of chemicals with each squeeze.
“Kids are putting these up to their faces in their mouths, they’re busting them, the fillings coming out and going all over the place,” said Jordan Collinet, a concerned parent and content creator, in a viral video last month.
“Don’t buy these. If you have them, return them. It’s not worth it.”
