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More than 30 children’s toys have been recalled across the UK following an investigation by The Guardian that uncovered asbestos contamination in craft play sand sold by Hobbycraft.
In the past three months, a wide range of children’s products—including candle-making kits and stretchy rubber toys—have been pulled from shelves by major retailers such as Tesco, Primark, Matalan, and Marks & Spencer after tests revealed the presence of asbestos.
Asbestos is a hazardous material that can lead to cancer if inhaled, and UK regulations strictly prohibit its presence in any consumer products. Experts believe the contamination may stem from sand sourced from mines in China, where asbestos fibers can naturally occur and labeling standards may be less strict.
The issue first came to light in January when Hobbycraft withdrew a popular craft kit after a customer reported asbestos traces in colored sand bottles. At the time, the retailer stated that authorities had not issued any warnings and that there was no confirmed harm to consumers.
Following the report, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) released guidance to businesses on improved testing methods. Since then, laboratories have seen a sharp rise in requests from manufacturers and retailers seeking more accurate testing.
Consumer advocacy group Which? described the growing number of recalls as a significant breakdown in product safety controls. The group urged regulators to enforce stricter checks and investigate whether similar products are being sold through less-regulated online marketplaces.
Industry experts have also raised concerns about the reliability of earlier testing methods, which failed to detect low levels of asbestos. Products initially certified as safe were later found to be contaminated when subjected to more advanced testing procedures.
Similar incidents had already led to recalls and temporary closures of schools and nurseries in countries like Australia and New Zealand. Despite this, comparable products continued to be sold across the UK and Europe until recently.
Hobbycraft acted swiftly after the investigation, issuing a nationwide recall and advising customers to safely seal affected items and consult local authorities for disposal. The company has since recalled additional craft sets containing sand.
Campaigners have criticized the UK government’s delayed response, arguing that stronger action should have been taken sooner. They pointed out that recent recalls were largely driven by independent testing rather than proactive government enforcement.
Changes in post-Brexit regulations have also been highlighted, as current laws place the responsibility on businesses to ensure product safety and report hazards, rather than allowing immediate government bans without scientific confirmation.
In response, the government stated that companies are legally required to ensure their products are safe. Product safety minister Kate Dearden called the situation “shocking” and emphasized that new measures are being introduced to strengthen consumer protections and hold irresponsible sellers accountable.
