Since January 2026, more than 100 children’s toys, craft kits and sensory products have now been recalled in the UK after testing identified asbestos fibres within products sold by major retailers.
This is not a minor product safety issue. The UK government’s own product safety minister described the situation as “staggering.” Consumer group Which? called it “shocking.” And the recalls are still coming.
In America, over 121,000 children’s squeeze toys have been recalled, after testing found asbestos in the sand inside them (Mesothelioma.net).
For many parents, schools and nurseries, the news has raised understandable concerns. How did asbestos end up in children’s toys? Which products have been affected? And what should you do if your child has played with one of the recalled items?
We explain what’s happened, the risks associated with asbestos-contaminated toys, and the steps parents, schools and childcare providers should take.
Which Toys May Contain Asbestos & Have Been Recalled?
The range of products affected is broader than many parents realise. The recalls are not limited to one brand or one type of toy.
They mainly involve products containing sand, sand-like fillers or loose mineral materials.
- Coloured play sand and sand art kits
- Sand-filled squishy and stretchy toys (including toys filled with a sand-like material inside rubber figures)
- Dig and excavation sets with sand-like filling
- Science kits containing sand
- Sensory toys and activity boxes
- Candle-making kits containing sand
- Decorative sand products
This list is nowhere near exhaustive, and new recalls continue to be added. For the full and current list of recalled products with specific product codes, the most authoritative source is the UK Government’s official product safety recalls page at GOV.UK.
ITV News has also published a detailed product list with item codes. We recommend checking online regularly if you have purchased any sand-based or sand-filled toy in the past two years.
How Did Asbestos End Up in Children's Toys?
Most of the affected products appear to share a common source: contaminated sand.
Many of the affected products contained sand or sand-like materials. Sand is a naturally occurring material and, in some parts of the world, asbestos minerals can occur within the same geological deposits from which sand is extracted.
The type of asbestos identified in many recalled products is tremolite, a form of amphibole asbestos. These fibres are particularly dangerous if they become airborne and are inhaled, which is why any asbestos contamination in children’s products is treated so seriously.
The issue first came to light after independent testing of a coloured craft sand product found tremolite asbestos. This led to wider investigation by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), followed by a growing number of UK recalls involving toys, craft kits and sensory products.
The key concern is supply-chain control. If appropriate testing and quality control procedures are not in place, asbestos fibres can enter the manufacturing process and ultimately become incorporated into consumer products.
How Dangerous Is Asbestos in Toys?
Asbestos is a known human carcinogen and there is no recognised safe level of exposure.
When asbestos fibres become airborne and are inhaled, they can lodge within the lungs and remain there for decades. Long-term exposure has been linked to serious diseases including mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis.
There are, however, some factors that reduce the risk from these specific products.
The products involved in these recalls generally contain relatively low concentrations of asbestos, and a single brief exposure is very different to the sustained occupational exposure that causes most asbestos-related disease.
None of this means the situation should be taken lightly.
The message to parents is this: take the recalls seriously, act on the guidance, and do not panic. The risk from occasional use of a recalled toy is low. But the right response is to stop using the product immediately and follow the disposal guidance.
What Should Parents Do?
If you think you may have a recalled product at home, or if you have a sand-based or sand-filled toy purchased in the past two years that has not been formally recalled, here is what you should do.
- Check the re-call list to find out if your product is affected
The GOV.UK product safety recalls page is the definitive and continuously updated source. Search for “asbestos” and filter by toys and hobby products. If you purchased a sand-based craft kit, stretchy toy, squishy figure or excavation set from any major UK retailer since 2024, it’s worth checking. - Stop using it immediately
Remove the item from use immediately and keep it away from children while you confirm whether it has been recalled. - Follow disposal guidance
Follow the instructions issued by the retailer, manufacturer or OPSS. Most recalled products can be returned for a refund. If this isn’t possible, check with your local authority about household asbestos waste disposal. The OPSS guidance on this is available on the GOV.UK website. - Seek advice if you are unsure
If you’re concerned about a specific product that is not on any recall list but you believe it may contain asbestos, professional testing is available.
What Does This Mean for Schools and Nurseries?
Schools and childcare settings should take these recalls particularly seriously.
Craft kits, sensory play materials, sand trays, dig sets and similar products are common in classrooms and early years settings across the UK. Many of the recalled products, including Paw Patrol craft collections, excavation kits, sand art sets and science kits, are often found in primary school classrooms and nurseries.
If your organisation has purchased any sand-based craft products, sensory materials, excavation kits or similar activity products within the past two years, we recommend:
- Reviewing current GOV.UK recall notices
- Removing any potentially affected products from use
- Recording actions taken as part of site risk management procedures
- Informing relevant staff members
- Seeking professional advice where concerns remain
For schools, academies and nurseries, this forms part of a wider duty of care to manage foreseeable asbestos risks within the environment.
Fibre Safe works with schools, nurseries, local authorities and academy trusts across Liverpool, Merseyside, the Wirral, Chester, North Wales and the wider North West. If you have concerns about asbestos risk from any source, including recalled products, our qualified team can advise. Contact Fibre Safe today on 0800 458 4136 or learn more about our work with schools and the education sector here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Toys Be Tested for Asbestos?
Yes.
If there is uncertainty about a product, laboratory testing can be carried out to determine whether asbestos fibres are present.
For sand-based products, highly sensitive testing methods such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) are often required, as very small fibres may not be detected using conventional testing methods.
Testing should always be completed through a suitably accredited laboratory using appropriate analytical techniques.
Can Asbestos Be Found in Play Sand?
Yes, asbestos can be found in play sand, but it is uncommon. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and may be present in some sand deposits if the raw material has not been properly screened or tested.
The recent UK toy recalls relate to specific sand-based toys, craft kits and sensory products where asbestos contamination was identified. This does not mean all play sand is unsafe, but parents, schools and nurseries should check GOV.UK recall notices if they are concerned about a product.
What type of asbestos is in the recalled toys?
Most of the confirmed cases involve tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring amphibole mineral. Amphibole asbestos has needle-like fibres that are considered particularly hazardous if inhaled. It is the same type of asbestos found in the Australian and New Zealand recalls that preceded the UK crisis.
What should I do if my child has played with a recalled toy?
Stop using the product immediately and follow official recall guidance. Current evidence suggests that occasional use is unlikely to present the same level of risk associated with long-term occupational asbestos exposure. But if you have concerns about your child’s health, please speak to your GP.
How do I safely dispose of a recalled asbestos toy?
Double-bag the product in heavy-duty plastic bags, seal with tape, and label it clearly. Return it to the retailer for a refund where possible. If you cannot return it, contact your local authority about asbestos household waste disposal. Do not place it in household recycling or general waste bins.
Why are recalls still happening months after the problem was identified?
The UK’s product safety regime currently relies on manufacturers, importers and retailers to test products and report contamination to regulators. There is no mandatory pre-market testing requirement.
As a result, recalls have been triggered by individual testing rather than systematic regulatory inspection. New products continue to be identified as more testing is carried out. The Guardian reported in May 2026 that five toys still on sale in the UK were found to contain asbestos, despite similar products having been recalled in the Netherlands.
Until a more robust testing regime is in place, the recalls are likely to continue.
Is there still asbestos in toys being sold in UK shops?
As of May 2026, yes. A Guardian investigation found five toys still on sale in the UK containing asbestos fibres, despite comparable products having been withdrawn elsewhere in Europe. Regulators are continuing to investigate, but the current system depends on businesses self-reporting. If you are purchasing sand-based toys or craft products, checking the GOV.UK recall list and seeking products from manufacturers with transparent UK-based testing is advisable.
Talk to an Asbestos Specialist at Fibre Safe
Fibre Safe provides UKAS-accredited asbestos surveys, sampling, testing and consultancy for domestic, commercial and public-sector properties across Liverpool, Wirral, Chester, North Wales and the wider North West.
If you are concerned about a toy, craft product or material and would like professional advice, our team can help you understand the options available and whether testing is appropriate.
Call 0800 458 4136
Or send a message here.
