Regulatory officials criticize Trump-appointed representative for postponing decision on water beads' safety
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has been embroiled in a controversy over the delay in issuing a final rule on the safety of water beads, a product known to pose significant risks to children. The acting chair of the CPSC, Peter Feldman, who was nominated by former President Donald Trump, has been accused of blocking the final rule without providing any explanation for the delay.
According to reports, water beads, when ingested by children, can expand to dangerous sizes in the digestive system, posing risks such as blocked digestive or respiratory tracts and poisoning by toxic chemicals. The CPSC has been stressing the danger of water beads for years, and in May, three Biden-nominated CPSC commissioners - Trumka, Hoehn-Saric, and Mary Boyle - were fired by Trump before their terms ended, but were reinstated by a federal district court in June.
CPSC member Richard Trumka, Jr. strongly criticized the delay, stating that the commission was supposed to finalize this rule on July 16, 2025, to protect children from these dangerous products. He accused Feldman of blocking the agency from fulfilling its promise without bothering to explain why. Commissioner Alexander Hoehn-Saric also condemned the delay in similar terms, expressing frustration over the lack of transparency and urgency, given the known risks.
The delay on the final rule could have prevented children from life-threatening hazards tied to water beads, Trumka stated. Another commissioner, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, also expressed disappointment with the delays on both draft final rules and urged Feldman to explain the reasons for the delays. Trumka urged Feldman to start working for consumer safety and be transparent about the reasons for the delays.
In addition to the water beads issue, the CPSC also delayed a ruling last week on button battery hazards in children's toys without explanation. This delay has raised concerns about the commission's commitment to consumer safety, especially given the known risks associated with button batteries when swallowed by children.
The case regarding the commissioners' reinstatement is pending before the Supreme Court. The Trump administration has appealed the reinstatement of these commissioners, asking the Supreme Court to step in on an emergency basis to permit the firings.
In response to the pressure, major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target have stopped selling water beads marketed for children due to concerns about their safety. The CPSC urges parents and caregivers to remove water beads from environments with children.
[1] Shania Shelton and Michael Williams, CNN, "CPSC delays final rule on water beads safety without explanation," 2025.
- The controversy surrounding the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) extends beyond water beads, as they also delayed a ruling on button battery hazards in children's toys without providing an explanation, causing concerns about their commitment to consumer safety.
- The delay in issuing a final rule on the safety of water beads, followed by the firing of three CPSC commissioners and the subsequent delay on draft final rules, has sparked questions about the politics influencing policy-and-legislation, particularly in the realm of general-news involving children's safety and product safety.
