Safety alerts in France and the United Kingdom have led to sand toy recalls in retail after regulators warned that some products may contain asbestos fibres. The alerts affect sand-based toys used for children’s creative play, including modelling sand and sand art kits.
Authorities say the presence of asbestos in toys is prohibited under product safety laws. The findings have prompted product recalls, sales suspensions and wider safety checks across the toy supply chain.
France suspends sales of sand toys
France’s consumer protection authority, the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), issued a national alert after investigations linked asbestos contamination to some sand-based toys.
The issue was first identified by regulators in Australia, which detected asbestos in 32 sand toy products across five brands. The findings were shared with international authorities, leading to checks in Europe.
French officials said the specific products identified in Australia were not initially sold in France. However, tests carried out by companies on other products later detected traces of asbestos in some sand toys placed on the French market.
As a precaution, regulators have asked manufacturers, importers and retailers to suspend sales of toys containing sand until they can confirm that the products do not contain asbestos. Several products have already been recalled through France’s RappelConso product safety system.
UK recalls sand art craft kit
In the United Kingdom, regulators have issued a product recall for the “Out To Impress Sand Art Creations” craft kit produced by Addo Play Limited.
According to the official safety notice, the sand supplied with the toy may be contaminated with asbestos, meaning the product does not comply with the UK’s Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
The kit was sold between August 2023 and February 2026 through several retailers and their websites, including The Entertainer and Early Learning Centre, Tesco, Matalan and Marks & Spencer.
The product has been withdrawn from sale and customers have been advised to stop using it and return it to the retailer for a refund.
Supply chain checks increase across toy sector
The alerts have raised concerns about raw material sourcing for sand toys, as sand can originate from geological deposits where asbestos may occur naturally.
Authorities note that asbestos exposure can cause serious diseases when fibres are inhaled. For this reason, the substance has long been banned in consumer products such as toys.
French health officials said the risk from previously used toys is likely to be limited because many play sands have a damp texture, which reduces the chance of fibres becoming airborne.
Regulators across Europe are now increasing monitoring of sand-based toys and similar products as part of wider product safety checks in the retail market. The case highlights the need for manufacturers and retailers to verify the safety of natural materials used in children’s products.
