Amazon, Target and more will stop selling water beads marketed to kids due to rising safety concerns

Three major retailers — Amazon, Target and Walmart — say they're suspending sales of water-bead products marketed to young children due to growing safety concerns. Water beads are small, colorful balls made of superabsorbent polymers. They are often sold as toys, including in craft activity kits, and as sensory tools for children with developmental disabilities. But warnings about the dangers of the beads being ingested have been piling up. “When (water beads) absorb water, they can swell to many times their size,” said Dr. Joshua King, medical director of the Maryland Poison Center. “And while most even still pass through the gut without trouble, occasionally they swell to a size where they actually obstruct the bowel.” This can lead to severe discomfort and life-threatening injuries, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notes in online guidance — adding that water beads can also end up in ears, causing damage or hearing loss. According to the regulator, an estimated 7,800 water bead-related injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms between 2016 and 2022. Amazon confirmed that it updated its policy on water bead sales “in the interest of safety.” The e-commerce giant will no longer allow the sale of water beads that are marketed to children, including as toys, art supplies or for sensory play, a spokesperson said. Under Amazon's updated policy, listings will be removed if they include images of children with the products or have references including “child,” “kid,” “crafts” or “sensory play.” Sellers had until Dec. 22, 2023 to comply, the spokesperson said. Walmart also confirmed its decision to stop selling “expanding water bead toy and craft items marketed to young children,” noting the company has already taken steps to remove the products in stores and online. And Target said it will no longer sell water beads marketed to children aged 12 and under — similarly citing growing safety concerns. Target has started removing the products from its shelves and online, a spokesperson said, and is expected to complete the process by the first weeks of January. Ashley Haugen, founder of advocacy nonprofit That Water Bead Lady, said that proactive action from companies “not only saves lives, but builds trust among consumers.” This article was provided by The Associated Press.