Short answer: squishies can be very safe for kids — if they're made from the right material. Almost every safety scare you've seen was about cheap foam or gel-filled novelty squishies, not food-grade silicone. Here's what parents should actually know.
What the safety studies found
- Denmark's environmental agency tested 12 foam squishies and found all 12 released harmful chemicals (dimethylformamide, styrene, toluene) — it advised keeping that type away from young children.
- In 2026, U.S. regulators recalled 120,000+ gel “squeeze” toys because the sand filling could contain asbestos.
- Consumer Reports documented gel-filled toys bursting open, leaving children with sticky filling on skin and eyes.
Notice the pattern: the problems come from PU foam and liquid/gel fillings — not from solid food-grade silicone.
Are mochi or silicone squishies toxic?
A genuine food-grade silicone squishy is non-toxic, odorless and BPA-free, and it has no liquid filling to leak. The “are mochi squishies toxic?” worry usually traces back to cheap, unlabeled knock-offs made from low-grade plastic. The fix is simple: buy from a maker who states the material clearly.
How to pick a kid-safe squishy
- Material: food-grade silicone, clearly stated — not unlabeled foam or mystery gel.
- No liquid filling that can burst and leak.
- Low or no odor — a strong chemical smell means off-gassing.
- Age-appropriate size, with adult supervision for under-3s (small parts).
How we make ours
Every LoveSquishy piece is a handmade, authentic Chiboki design made from food-grade silicone — solid, non-toxic and odorless, with no gel to leak. That's the whole point: a squishy you can hand to a child (and squeeze yourself) without the foam-and-mystery-gel worries.
Squeeze with confidence
Browse our handmade, food-grade silicone squishies — from the cute Coconut Oil Squishy and Toothpaste Squishy to the full Chiboki Squishy collection.
