Urgent recall for kids toy sold at John Lewis, Hobbycraft and more — 'stop using'

An urgent product recall alert has been issued for a popular children's toy after traces of asbestos were found. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) warned that the item poses a "risk to health". Sand in the craft kit may contain asbestos, which can cause cancer. The Galt Nature Craft Kit has become the latest children's toy to be pulled from sale due to the risk. It has been withdrawn from sale and recalled from customers. The craft kit was sold from 2024 until April 2026 and has the barcode 5011979623997. The toy is described as a nature craft kit packaged in a green cardboard box with various crafting components. It includes 25g of yellow sand, wooden pieces, foam pieces, paints, paintbrush, string and white glue. The product was sold by retailers including John Lewis, Hobbycraft, Toy Master and Garden Centres. The OPSS said: "The product presents a risk to health as the yellow sand included 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 Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011." The OPSS has urged anyone with the toy to stop using "immediately" and to keep it out the reach of children. It has also issued guidelines on how to dispose of the product. "If the sand is still in its packaging, place it 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," the OPSS said. "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 away from areas where the sand has been used until the area has been fully cleaned. Dispose of the item in the general household waste bin. You can also return it to the store where specified by the retailer. If you need any further help or advice, contact the retailer you bought the toy from. The craft kit is just the latest kids toy to be affected by recall notices. The HGL Stretchy Sand Monster Truck, Scrunchems Stretchies Sleepy Dino Toy and HGL Stretchy Sand Pig have been recalled from customers this month. They have been sold by One For Fun Limited, and anyone with them must stop using "immediately". Meanwhile, there is a recall of Stretcherz Toys sold at a vast range of stores including Aldi , Argos, Asda , B&M, Early Learning Centre, The Entertainer, Home Bargains, Matalan, Poundland, Primark, Smyths Toys, Tesco , TK Maxx/Homesense, and The Works. Colour Day's Sand Art activity kit has been recalled from Amazon and eBay over an asbestos risk, while Addo Play Limited's Out To Impress Sand Art Creations has been pulled from sale from Early Learning Centre, The Entertainer, Tesco, Matalan and M&S stores.