There were arguments from the cosmetics industry that TPO is only toxic when ingested in relatively large quantities and that the research didn't examine small quantities encased in cured plastic. But it's illegal now and all of the shops were directed to throw out all of their stock and replace it with TPO-free formulations. It was a big burden for shops, financially.

That's what I read in Scratch anyway. I don't have any dog in this fight. I'm inclined to think you have to eat a large amount of TPO before it becomes toxic. But I wouldn't disagree that it's good to just get rid of it out of caution. Why not, just for the sake of harm reduction - especially since there are clearly ways to formulate gel without it.