Over 30 toys recalled across UK over asbestos contamination concerns

More than 30 types of children’s toys sold across the UK have been pulled from shelves following growing concerns that some products may contain asbestos-contaminated sand sourced from China.

Major retailers including Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Primark, and Matalan are among those affected, with recalls issued for a range of items such as candle-making kits, stretchy toys, and coloured sand products. Investigations suggest the sand used in these items may have been mined in regions where asbestos occurs naturally and where regulatory controls and labelling standards are less stringent.

Concerns about the safety of such products first emerged in Australia late last year, when contaminated play sand led to the temporary closure of dozens of schools. The issue later surfaced in the UK after a parent submitted samples of purchased craft sand for independent testing, which reportedly detected asbestos fibres in several coloured variants.

Subsequent checks identified traces of the hazardous material in products sold by a number of retailers and online platforms, including Asda, Amazon, and eBay. Asbestos, a substance banned in many countries, is known to pose serious health risks when its fibres are inhaled, even in small amounts.

Among the recalled items are popular children’s products such as Squishy Pugs toys, Funkee Sand sets, and Paw Patrol-themed craft kits. Additional recalls have been issued for products sold by Marks & Spencer and Matalan, as well as certain toy lines previously stocked by Primark and Asda.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, assuring the public that action is being taken against non-compliant sellers. Authorities have also urged businesses to meet strict safety requirements and act swiftly when unsafe products are identified.

Retailers involved in the recalls say they acted quickly once concerns were raised, removing affected products from sale and initiating further testing. Some companies have also issued full refunds and advised customers to return or safely store any recalled items.

Officials are urging consumers who may have purchased the affected toys to stop using them immediately and follow safety guidance, including securely packaging any sand-based materials before returning them. The full list of impacted products is available via official government recall notices.

The incident has intensified scrutiny on product safety standards and supply chains, particularly for imported goods, highlighting the need for stronger regulation to protect consumers especially children from potential health risks.