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Gel Water Beads 50,000pcs sold via OnBuy — suffocation risk

UK OPSSSerious riskSuffocationApr 8, 2026
Photo from the official notice: Gel Water Beads 50,000pcs sold via OnBuy — suffocation risk

Photos from the official notice: UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (GOV.UK) · image rights

Hazard

The product presents a serious risk of asphyxiation. If the product is swallowed in its hydrated form, it can block a young child’s airway. OPSS has published a Product Safety Alert for water beads, which can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-alert-water-beads-psa7. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.

Remedy

We recommend owners stop using this product immediately. Contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress. The online seller has advised customers who purchased the product via OnBuy of the hazards posed by the product. The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (OnBuy).

Product safety report

Measures taken

  • Removal of listing by online marketplace
  • Warning consumers of risks

Product description

Plastic tub of multi-coloured water beads. “Orbeez” is referenced in the product listing as above, but not on the product packaging.

What should I do?

If you own this product, stop using it and follow the corrective action above: contact the retailer or supplier for a repair, replacement or refund. This notice was published by the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards.

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