More than 120,000 ORB Funkee sand-filled squeeze toys have been pulled from store shelves across the United States after the maker warned that the sand inside some figures may contain fibrous tremolite, a form of asbestos. The recall covers a jumbo golden “monkee” and smaller multicolored “monkees” that many parents will recognize from discount bins. The company and retailers are urging consumers to take the toys away from children and follow the manufacturer’s cleanup directions.
What Was Recalled
The importer, The Orb Factory (ORB), says about 121,340 Orb Funkee squeeze toys are covered by the recall. Affected toys bear date code 3102491A and include model 17451 (Gold Jumbo Monkee) and model 41929 (Monkee Mega assortments), according to ORB Toys. The company’s recall page shows photos of the toys so owners can double-check what is in their homes and lays out step-by-step cleanup guidance if a toy gets punctured. ORB also says there have been no reported injuries tied to the products.
Where They Were Sold
Retailers in the U.S. sold the recalled toys at Walmart and Ollie's Bargain Outlet stores from February 2025 through April 2026, with prices ranging from about $5 to $40, as reported by KGW. Owners are being asked to check the date code printed on the hand of the golden monkee or on the back of the smaller monkees to confirm whether their toy is part of the recall before returning it.
How to Check, Clean and Get a Refund
ORB's recall notice directs owners to immediately remove the toys from children. For undamaged toys, the company instructs consumers to place the toy in a heavy-duty plastic bag and submit a photo to ORB to request a refund. If a toy is ruptured, ORB tells consumers to wear gloves and a mask, use damp cloths to pick up any escaped sand, and double-bag the waste before disposal. The recall page lists a U.S. hotline and email address for refund help and notes that disposal should follow local and state regulations, according to ORB Toys.
A Wider Pattern of Sand Recalls
This is not an isolated scare. Authorities in the U.K., Australia and several other countries have pulled a range of sand-based toys and craft kits this year after laboratory tests found tremolite or chrysotile asbestos in colored sands, triggering a series of preventive recalls and renewed scrutiny of supplier testing, according to reporting by The Guardian. Public health experts say the immediate risk from sealed sand inside intact toys is low, but they warn that some testing methods can miss very small fragments, which has pushed regulators and companies toward more cautious, preemptive recalls.
If you believe you own an affected Orb Funkee toy, contact The Orb Factory at 800-741-0089 or [email protected] for a refund and follow the company's cleanup instructions, as reported by KGW. Until you confirm the date code and proper disposal steps, keep any recalled toys out of children's reach.
