Crayola Craft Kits Recalled in UK Over Asbestos in Sand

Two Crayola craft kits recalled across major UK retailers

The UK's Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has recalled two Crayola-branded craft kits after testing revealed that the sand included in the products may be contaminated with trace levels of asbestos. The affected products are the Crayola Discovery Craft Box and the Crayola Touchy Feely Craft Box, both imported and distributed in the UK by Hunter Price International Ltd.

The OPSS announced the recall of the Discovery Craft Box on 1 May 2026. Two separate recall notices — OPSS case numbers 2604-0197 and 2604-0198 — cover the two products. Both were manufactured in China.

Which products are affected, and where were they sold?

The Crayola Discovery Craft Box (Model 35501, barcode 5061047355015) was sold between August 2025 and April 2026 at Argos, Asda, BargainMax, CJS Trade Limited, Sainsbury's, Scottish Midland Co-Operative, The Works, and VapeSuperstore Limited.

The Crayola Touchy Feely Craft Box (Model 35052, barcode 5061047350522) was sold between March 2025 and April 2026 at Asda, Bargainmax, CJS Trade Limited, Cloud Nine Boutique Ltd, Geeantee Wholesale, Sainsbury's, Scottish Midland Co-operative, and The Works. At The Works, this product was sold under the name "Sensory Craft Box" — so shoppers who bought something under that name at The Works may also be affected.

The retail price of neither product has been confirmed by the OPSS or Hunter Price International.

What is the risk?

The hazard is the sand supplied inside both kits. Testing indicated it may contain a small quantity of asbestos — a substance that is banned in the UK because it poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure. Neither product meets the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.

No injuries or illnesses have been reported. Hunter Price International said it is recalling the affected products as a precaution.

The Works stated in its own recall notice:

"Testing has shown that the sand inside some products may contain trace levels of asbestos. As asbestos should not be present in any amount, we are recalling the affected items as a precaution."

What should you do right now?

The OPSS has issued clear guidance for anyone who owns either product:

• Stop using the product immediately and keep it out of reach of children.
• If the sand is still in its original packaging, place it inside a heavy-duty plastic bag, double-tape it securely, label it clearly, and store it in a secure location away from children.
• If the sand has already been used, wear gloves and a mask when cleaning up. Use wet cloths rather than dry ones to avoid generating dust. Double-bag the sand, along with the gloves, mask and cloths used during clean-up.
• The bagged sand can be disposed of in general household waste, or returned to the store where specified by the retailer.

The OPSS advised:

"Stop using the product immediately. 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 it in a secure location out of the reach of children."

Consumers are entitled to a full refund. Sainsbury's customers should visit their nearest Sainsbury's store with proof of purchase. Other affected retailers are also offering refunds — check directly with the store where you purchased the product.

Hunter Price International can be contacted by telephone on 0161 653 1306 or by email at sales@hunterprice.co.uk. The company has apologised for the inconvenience caused.

Part of a worrying wider trend

These two Crayola recalls are not isolated incidents. They are the latest in a series of children's craft products pulled from UK shelves in 2026 due to the risk of asbestos in sand — a trend that consumer group Which? has called "worrying."

Other recent UK recalls in the same category include:

• Hobbycraft's Giant Box of Crafts, recalled urgently after an independent test — triggered by a parent who sent sand samples to a laboratory — found asbestos fibres in bottles of yellow, green and pink sand.
• The Hobbycraft Easter Bumper Craft Kit (Product Code 6835991000), sold in January 2026, recalled because the vials of sand included in the set may be contaminated with asbestos.
• The Sand Art Activity Kit by Colour Day, containing 10 bags of coloured sand, removed from Amazon and eBay after the OPSS said it "presents a risk to health as the sand may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos."
• The Out To Impress Sand Art Creations kit by Addo Play Limited, also recalled by the OPSS over the same concern.

The issue was first identified by regulators in Australia, which detected asbestos in 32 sand toy products across five brands. Those findings were shared with international authorities, prompting checks across Europe and the UK.

Experts have pointed to the root cause: sand used in craft toys can originate from geological deposits where asbestos occurs naturally, making contamination a supply-chain risk that is difficult to detect without rigorous independent testing. French health officials have noted that the risk from previously used toys is likely to be limited, since many play sands have a damp texture that reduces the chance of fibres becoming airborne — but UK regulators have been clear that no level of asbestos exposure is considered safe.

The OPSS has indicated that additional distributors or retailers may be added to the recall list as further information becomes available.