The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of 121,340 Orb Funkee “monkee” squeeze toys sold at Walmart and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet from February 2025 through April 2026, citing potential asbestos contamination in the sand filling. The agency
A child squeezes. The sand shifts. But for families who bought Orb Funkee “monkee” squeeze toys, the question now is whether that sand could carry something far more dangerous than expected.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a nationwide recall for more than 121. 000 Orb Funkee squeeze toys because they may contain tremolite. a fibrous mineral known as asbestos. in the sand filling. The FDA and the CPSC have also issued urgent recalls tied to other concerns. including undeclared allergens. but this one has families focused on the invisible risk of asbestos fibers.
No injuries have been reported.
The products affected by the recall are two models of Orb Funkee toys shaped like monkeys: a larger. gold-colored figure labeled “Golden Monkee. ” and an assortment of smaller. multicolored “Funkee Monkee” toys. The CPSC said the date codes are printed on the hand of the golden monkee or on the backs of the smaller models.
The recall covers Model 17451 and Model 41929 with date code 3102491. The toys were sold nationwide at Walmart and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet stores from February 2025 through April 2026, with a price range between $5 and $40. The number of impacted toys is 121,340 “monkees.”
Families are now being told to stop using the toys immediately and remove them from children.
The CPSC recommends consumers take the recalled toys away from children. stop using them right away. and contact The Orb Factory for a refund. If the toy has been ruptured or pierced—or if sand has escaped the toy—the company directed consumers to put on a mask and gloves and use damp cloths to pick up any sand that has leaked out.
The refund process, according to the notice, requires verification of the code and lot number. Consumers are instructed to place the toy in a heavy-duty plastic bag. seal it securely with tape. and submit a photo of the product in the bag to customerservice@orbtoys.com to receive a refund. After that, the notice says consumers should dispose of the sealed bag in accordance with local and/or state regulations.
Items used during disposal—such as clothes, masks, and gloves—should also be placed in a heavy-duty plastic bag and then re-bagged and sealed with tape before they are disposed of.
For those needing help, The Orb Factory can be reached by phone at 800-741-0089 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, by email at customerservice@orbtoys.com, or online.
Asbestos is an umbrella term for naturally occurring fibrous minerals found in rock and soil. Its fibers can be separated into thin threads and have been used in a wide variety of products, from fabrics to construction insulation.
Asbestos was used extensively in commercial and industrial manufacturing in the United States—especially construction—until the late 1980s. when the Environmental Protection Agency passed a ban on all new uses of asbestos. While it has been phased out in recent decades. the mineral can still be found in older buildings. including materials such as paint on the walls and coatings on water pipes.
The health concern is tied to what happens when asbestos is disturbed. Tiny particles can be released into the air, and when inhaled, they can become trapped in the lungs. Over time. those particles can build up in the body. leading to inflammation. scarring. and lung disease that makes breathing difficult. according to the EPA and National Cancer Institute.
Asbestos is classified as a carcinogen, meaning it causes cancer in humans, per the EPA. It has been associated with mesothelioma—described as a relatively rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest. abdomen. and heart—along with lung. larynx. and ovary cancer. The CPSC and EPA have also noted non-cancerous changes to the lungs and asbestosis. a chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs that can cause shortness of breath. coughing. and permanent damage. The National Cancer Institute says most cases of mesothelioma are believed to be the result of asbestos exposure.
The notice also emphasizes that serious illness generally requires repeat, sustained exposure to develop. It adds that limited contact with small amounts of the mineral, while not recommended, presents a low health risk.
Still. for parents trying to make sense of a product warning tied to something that can’t be seen. the timing matters. The CPSC and FDA action means households are being asked to treat these toys as a potential hazard now—stop using them. secure them in heavy-duty bags. and follow the refund and disposal steps provided by The Orb Factory.
Orb Funkee recall asbestos toy recall CPSC recall tremolite asbestos Walmart Ollie’s Bargain Outlet squeeze toys FDA recall consumer safety mesothelioma