Families are being urged to check their children’s craft and toy supplies, and many schools across Australia have closed today due to several sand products being recalled due to concerns surrounding asbestos.
Several recall notices over children’s sand products have been issued in the last week, as they may contain asbestos and were sold at several major retailers throughout Australia.
Educational Colours, Kmart, Target, and Officeworks have all sold varieties of the popular kids product, with recalls issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on 12, 13 and 16 November.
If residents have some in the house, they should stop using the products immediately. While the risk for exposure from using the sand products has been described as low, the news may shock and distress some parents.
Tecoma parent Greg Wogan-Browne was shocked to hear the news on the way to work Monday.
“I’ve had that sand all over my house. My kids used it during lockdown quite a lot,” he said.
“I have calmed down a bit reading through the recall notices online, and I believe we got rid of ours a few years ago now, but it’s a jolt to the system, and as a parent, I think it’s vital anyone with it in their house is made aware,” he said.
ACC have urged customers to place the sand in a heavy-duty plastic bag and double-tape it securely, and keep it out of reach of children
“When doing so, in an abundance of caution, customers should take precautions such as wearing disposable gloves and a mask,” said ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe.
The brightly coloured product, both a sensory and educational toy, was the subject of the first recall issued by supplier Educational Colours Pty Ltd on 12 November and is labelled as Kadink Sand (1.3kg), Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1kg) and comes in a range of colours and was sold at has been sold at Officeworks, Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids and Zart Art.
Officeworks issued a further recall for the product Kadink Decorative sand 10g 6 pack on 13 November, and then Kmart issued a recall on 16 November for some variety tubs sold at both Kmart and Target labelled as: Active Sandtub 14 piece Sand Castle Building Set; Blue Magic Sand; Green Magic Sand; Pink Magic Sand.
Sold throughout Australia between 2020 and 2025, the widespread recall is due to lab testing revealing tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring asbestos which is a prohibited substance.
The asbestos was detected in some samples after laboratory testing, but ‘respirable’ asbestos has not been detected in any of the tested samples.
The recall website has stated for all three recalls that ‘the release of respirable asbestos fibres is unlikely to occur in its current state, unless the sand is processed by mechanical means such as crushing or pulverising,’ and that ‘the risk that any asbestos found is likely to be airborne or fine enough for inhalation is low.’
On 12 November, ACCC said they have engaged with Officeworks, which is a major supplier of these products, and they advised that the products have been removed from sale.
“We expect they will take all the necessary steps to alert their customers,” she said.
“We continue to engage with suppliers and expect all to provide appropriate support to consumers, including responding to queries and providing advice about arranging a refund.”
The ACCC will continue to monitor developments in relation to the products, and the recall notice may be updated as new information emerges.
Customers are urged not to dispose of the product in general waste.
Information on the disposal of Asbestos waste, including disposal facilities in your state or territory, can be found on the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency website, and recalls have also been issued in New Zealand.
Customers can seek full refunds on the products from the retailer they have purchased from, and should keep an eye on the ACCC recall website for further updates.
