In a concerning development, Hobbycraft, the popular British craft retailer, has reportedly removed certain children’s sand toys from sale after a parent discovered traces of asbestos fibres in the products. The move comes following an independent laboratory test that allegedly found the presence of tremolite asbestos in some of the coloured sand samples from the “Giant Box of Crafts” kit sold by the company.
The unnamed parent, who alerted Hobbycraft to the issue, told The Guardian that the discovery was prompted by a news report about a similar recall of children’s sand products in Australia last year. Concerned, the parent purchased a set from a Hobbycraft store and sent the samples for testing, which reportedly confirmed the presence of the hazardous material.
In response, Hobbycraft has stated that it has “voluntarily removed the product from sale” as a precautionary measure while it conducts its own independent testing. A spokesperson for the company said, “We will update customers as soon as we are in a position to do so.”
The revelation has understandably caused alarm among parents, with a government source telling The Guardian that “parents are right to be concerned” and that Hobbycraft should recall the products themselves given the evidence. In November 2025, a similar asbestos-related incident in Australia led to the closure of 69 schools.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and exposure, particularly when the fibres become airborne, can increase the risk of developing various respiratory diseases, including lung cancer. While the risk is generally higher with regular, prolonged exposure, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
Hobbycraft’s decision to remove the potentially contaminated sand toys from sale is a responsible step, and the company has pledged to keep customers informed as its investigation progresses. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of product safety and the need for rigorous testing to protect consumers, especially when it comes to children’s toys and products.
