Hobbycraft Recalls Craft Set Over Asbestos in Sand

Hobbycraft, the United Kingdom's largest arts and crafts retailer, has issued an urgent recall of its Giant Box of Craft product after independent tests confirmed traces of asbestos in some vials of colored sand included in the set. The recall, announced in coordination with the Office for Product Safety and Standards and Trading Standards, affects items sold nationwide and urges customers to stop using the product immediately to prevent potential health risks from exposure.

The contamination was first identified by a concerned parent whose children had used the sand at a party. Recognizing similarities to products recalled in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year, the parent purchased a set from Hobbycraft and sent samples to an accredited laboratory. Tests revealed fibrous tremolite asbestos in three of the five colored sand vials. The product, which contains a mix of craft supplies including the sand vials, carries the number 6686021000 on its packaging and was manufactured in China. Officials from the Office for Product Safety and Standards stated that the item does not comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, as even small quantities of asbestos can...