British safety officials have recalled 14 children’s toys after finding asbestos contamination in sand art kits and stretchy figures sold at major retailers across the United Kingdom. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) issued the recalls between January and February 2026, marking the largest wave of asbestos-related toy recalls in UK history.
The contamination was first discovered when a parent had children’s play sand from Hobbycraft tested in a lab. That initial finding triggered a broader investigation that has expanded to 14 products across multiple manufacturers and retailers.
Full List of Recalled Products
All 14 recalled items are listed below. Parents who have purchased any of these products should stop using them immediately.
| Product | Brand | Retailers | Product Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out To Impress Sand Art Creations | Addo Play Limited | The Entertainer, Tesco, Matalan, M&S | 318-19149-B |
| Sand Art Kit | Colour Day | Amazon, eBay | N/A |
| Kids Create Sand Art Kit | IG Design Group UK | Various | 5012128618222 |
| Giant Box of Craft | Hobbycraft | Hobbycraft | Multiple codes |
| Sand & Pom Pom Art Kit | Hobbycraft | Hobbycraft | 6669851000 |
| Basing Sand | Hobbycraft | Hobbycraft | 6873931000 |
| Easter Bumper Craft Kit | Hobbycraft | Hobbycraft | 6835991000 |
| My Living World Worm Kit | Hobbycraft | Hobbycraft | 5830641000 |
| Stretch Squad Assortment | Stretcherz | Asda, B&M, Argos, Aldi, Tesco | 5050837662419 |
| Slammers Assortment | Stretcherz | Asda, B&M, Argos, Aldi, Tesco | 5050835105345 |
| Stretch Skulls (Green/Blue) | Stretcherz | Various | 5050839102142 |
| Stretch Skulls (Green/Pink) | Stretcherz | Various | 5050839102142 |
| Stretch Skulls (Pink/Green) | Stretcherz | Various | 5050839102142 |
| Stretcherz 4 Pack | Stretcherz | Various | 5050835030340 |
How the Contamination Was Discovered
The initial alarm came in January 2026, when a parent in the UK sent colored craft sand from Hobbycraft to a private laboratory for testing. The lab confirmed the presence of tremolite asbestos in three colors.
Hobbycraft withdrew its sand products voluntarily. OPSS then launched a broader investigation, which identified asbestos in sand art kits from other manufacturers and eventually in a separate product line of stretchy toy figures sold under the Stretcherz brand.
All contaminated sand products originated from China. OPSS determined the products did not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
If you have any of the recalled products, stop using them immediately. If the sand is still sealed, place it in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double tape it, and label it clearly. If the sand has been used, clean surfaces with wet cloths while wearing gloves and a mask. Do not use compressed air or vacuum cleaners, which can spread fibers. Keep children away from affected areas until cleaned. Return products to the retailer for a full refund.
The Health Risk
Asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999. Even small amounts pose health risks. When disturbed, asbestos fibers become airborne and can be inhaled. In children, the danger is compounded by the long latency period of asbestos-related diseases.
Mesothelioma typically develops 20 to 50 years after exposure. A child exposed to contaminated sand today could face a diagnosis in adulthood. The risk from brief, low-level exposure is significantly lower than occupational exposure, but no level of asbestos exposure is considered safe.
The UK has among the highest mesothelioma rates in the world, largely due to widespread historical use of asbestos in construction. Approximately 2,700 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the UK each year.
Echoes of Australian Recalls
The UK recalls follow a similar pattern in Australia and New Zealand, where asbestos-contaminated children’s play sand prompted nationwide recalls in 2025. In that case, sand sold through major Australian retailers was found to contain chrysotile asbestos.
Both the Australian and UK contaminations trace back to sand imported from Chinese manufacturers. The incidents have raised broader questions about quality control in the global supply chain for children’s products.
For sealed products: place in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double tape it, label it, and store securely away from children. For used sand: clean surfaces using wet cloths only. Wear gloves and a mask. Double bag the sand, cloths, gloves, and mask together. Dispose in general household waste. Contact the retailer for a full refund.
Are these toys still being sold in stores?▼
No. All 14 products have been recalled and removed from shelves. Online listings on Amazon and eBay have also been taken down. If you already purchased one of these products, return it to the retailer for a refund.
How dangerous is brief exposure from a children's toy?▼
The risk from a single or brief exposure to small amounts of asbestos is very low compared to occupational exposure over months or years. However, no level of asbestos exposure is considered completely safe. The concern is that children playing repeatedly with contaminated sand could accumulate exposure over time.
Should I have my child tested after they played with one of these products?▼
There is no routine screening test for asbestos exposure in children. If your child used a recalled product, note the approximate dates and duration of use. Share this information with your child’s doctor so it can be part of their medical history.
Why does children's sand contain asbestos?▼
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in certain rock formations. Sand products mined or processed near asbestos deposits can become contaminated if manufacturing controls are inadequate. The affected products were manufactured in China, where different regulatory standards apply.
Does this affect products sold outside the UK?▼
The OPSS recalls apply to the UK market. However, some of these products may have been sold internationally through Amazon and eBay. If you purchased any sand art kit matching these descriptions, regardless of country, treat it as potentially affected.
References
UK Office for Product Safety and Standards. (2026). Product Recall: Sand Art Activity Kit sold via eBay and Amazon.
https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-recall-sand-art-activity-kit-sold-via-ebay-and-amazon-2602-0208
The Sun. (2026). Full list of 14 asbestos-laden toys urgently recalled across UK.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/38320676/asbestos-toys-recalled-update-uk-ms-matalan-tesco/
The Independent. (2026). Urgent recall of another children's toy over asbestos contamination fears.
https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/asbestos-sand-toys-recall-uk-contamination-fears-b2925712.html