Hobbycraft recalls children’s product over asbestos contamination fears

Hobbycraft has issued a recall of one of its products, after it was revealed that it poses a potential health risk. The retailer explained that the product, which contains sand, has been flagged as a health risk due to a possible contamination with a small quantity of asbestos. 

Asbestos is a banned substance because it poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure. Customers are being urged to stop using the product immediately. Hobbycraft explained: “The product presents a risk to health as the sand included in the kit may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos. 

“Asbestos is a banned substance because it poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure. The product does not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.”

The product affected by the recall can be found below, along with the product code:

• My Living World Worm Kit – 5830641000

The product has been described as an “educational science kit for observing live earthworms through layered sand and soil”. The My Living product has been removed from the market and is being recalled by end users by the retailer.

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Hobbycraft has urged customers who’ve purchased the product to stop using it immediately and kept away from children. The retailer has also shared some disposal instructions for customers to follow:

• Stop using the product immediately.
• If the sand is still in its packaging, place in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double tape it securely, label it clearly and store in a secure location out of the reach of children.
• If the sand has been used, clean up sites where the product was used using wet cloths to avoid generating dust. Wear gloves and a mask. Double bag the sand, gloves, mask and cloths.
• Keep children and other people away from areas where the sand has been used until the area has been cleaned.
• Return the sand vials from the product to your nearest Hobbycraft store for a full refund.
• If you are unable to get to a Hobbycraft store, please follow the instructions above and dispose of the sand in your general household waste. Contact Hobbycraft for a full refund.

For further information call Hobbycraft’s Customer Service on 0330 026 1400.