CONSUMER ALERT: Hobbycraft Withdraws Craft Kits Over Asbestos Fears

If you’ve recently bought arts and crafts supplies for your kids, you need to check your cupboards. Hobbycraft has pulled a popular craft kit from its shelves following reports of asbestos contamination.

The Product

The affected item is the Hobbycraft ‘Giant Box of Craft’ arts kit. Specifically, traces of asbestos were found in the yellow, green, and pink bottles of sand included in the set.

How was it discovered?

The alarm was raised by a concerned parent who noticed the sand looked identical to products recently recalled in Australia and New Zealand. She paid for independent laboratory testing, which confirmed the presence of fibrous tremolite asbestos in three of the five colours.

The Risk

• Health: Asbestos can cause cancer in later life if inhaled. While experts suggest the risk from these specific bottles is likely “low” due to the small quantities, there is no “safe” limit for asbestos exposure under UK law.
• The Loophole: The kits are manufactured in China, where products containing less than 5% asbestos can still be labelled “asbestos-free.” In the UK, the limit appears to be zero.

Hobbycraft’s Response

Hobbycraft has withdrawn the product from sale as a “precaution” while they conduct their own tests.

Crucially: They have not yet issued a formal product recall. This means they haven’t proactively contacted previous buyers or posted official safety notices in the way a full recall would require.

Why hasn’t the Government stepped in?

The Guardian report highlights a post-Brexit “safety gap.” Changes to UK law removed the “precautionary principle,” which previously allowed the government to forcedly recall products suspected of being a threat. Now, authorities often need “hard evidence of harm” before they can mandate a recall.

What should you do?

1. Check your craft stash: If you have the “Giant Box of Craft,” check if it contains bottles of coloured sand.
2. Stop using it: As a precaution, it is advised to stop using the sand immediately.
3. Seal it up: If you have the product, seal it in a double bag and keep it out of reach of children until Hobbycraft provides a further update on returns or refunds.
4. Stay tuned: Monitor Hobbycraft’s social media or website for a formal update on “independent testing” results.

Found this helpful? Share this with other parents to make sure they’re aware!

Massive thanks to the parent who had this checked out and the Guardian for reporting on it.

Whilst we’re not in Australia, here is their statement on similar sand.

Is it just Hobbycraft?

Without wanting to cause panic, if a company as big as Hobbycraft manages to have a product like this on shelves, common sense would say it’s highly likely other suppliers have supplied other businesses in the UK with similar products. Hopefully more information comes out soon.