UK recalls 30+ toys after asbestos found in play sand
UK recalls 30+ toys after asbestos found in play sand
More than 30 children's toys recalled in the UK after asbestos traces were found in play sand, with authorities urging checks and safer sourcing.
More than 30 children's toys have been recalled in the UK after asbestos was detected in play sand linked to products sold by major retailers. The contamination is thought to originate from sand mined in China, where asbestos fibres can occur naturally and labeling rules are less rigorous.
Since an earlier recall of a Giant Box of Craft kits, retailers including Hobbycraft, Tesco, Primark, Matalan and M&S have pulled additional items from shelves, including candle-making kits and stretchy rubber toys. The breadth of recalls underscores growing concerns about how sand-based components are tested and certified before products reach shoppers.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued an advisory to traders about the most reliable testing methods, and laboratories have reported a surge in requests for safety checks as recalls continue. Critics and consumer groups say the spike points to gaps in safety oversight and call for stronger checks, including scrutiny of online marketplaces where regulation can be looser.
Authorities stress that there is no evidence of harm to customers so far, but inhaling asbestos is linked to cancer risks in the long term. Parents are urged to review current recalls, avoid toys containing sand, and contact retailers for guidance on affected products. Retailers insist they are cooperating with investigations and will remove any affected stock as testing progresses.
