Major Retailers Issue Urgent Recall Over Asbestos Contamination in Children's Toys
Two of the UK's leading retailers, Asda and Hobbycraft, have initiated an urgent recall of seven children's products following the discovery of potential asbestos contamination in sand materials used within the toys. The recall affects items sold nationwide, including through Birmingham and Solihull branches, with both companies emphasizing immediate cessation of use and specific safety measures for disposal.
Safety Warnings and Disposal Instructions
Both retailers have issued stark warnings to parents and caregivers, advising them to stop using the affected toys immediately. Hobbycraft has provided explicit disposal instructions, recommending that individuals "wear gloves and a mask" when handling the products and to "double bag the sand, gloves, mask and cloths" for safe disposal.
An Asda spokesperson stated: "Stretcherz is recalling certain toys following the identification of a potential contaminant in the sand used within a limited number of the products. Testing has shown that the sand-like material inside some of these products may contain trace levels of asbestos."
The spokesperson continued: "The overall risk is considered low, but because asbestos shouldn't be present in any amount, we are recalling the affected items as a precaution. While we have received no reports of harm, we're taking this action out of an abundance of caution and in line with our commitment to the highest standards of safety and quality."
Full List of Recalled Products
The recall encompasses seven specific items across both retailers:
Hobbycraft Products:
- My Living World Worm Kit (product code: 5830641000)
- Basing Sand (product code: 6873931000)
- Sand & Pom Pom Art Kit
- Easter Bumper Craft Kit (product code: 6669851000)
- Giant Box of Craft (product code: 6835991000)
Asda Products:
- Stretch Squad Assortment (barcode: 5050837662419)
- Slammers Assortment (barcode: 5050835105345)
Discovery and Testing
The contamination concerns emerged after a concerned parent submitted colored sand from Hobbycraft's Giant Box of Crafts kit for laboratory testing. The analysis reportedly revealed traces of asbestos fibers in bottles of yellow, green, and pink sand included in the craft kit. This discovery prompted both retailers to initiate comprehensive testing and subsequent recall procedures.
Asda confirmed that while the risk from the contamination is assessed as low, the presence of any asbestos in children's products is unacceptable under their safety standards. The supermarket giant, which operates multiple branches across Birmingham, emphasized that "asbestos should not be present in any amount" in their products.
Hobbycraft, with stores in Birmingham and Solihull, has echoed these safety concerns and implemented the recall across their affected product lines. Both companies are working with suppliers to investigate the source of the contamination and prevent future occurrences.
Parents who have purchased any of the listed products are advised to contact the respective retailers for refunds or replacements and to follow the specified safety protocols when disposing of the items. The recall serves as a reminder of the rigorous safety standards required for children's products in the UK market.
