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A UK product safety notice says Habico Ltd 350g jars of coloured sand bought on or after 1 June 2023 may contain a small quantity of asbestos. Habico and distributors have withdrawn the products and recalled them from consumers; owners should stop using the sand and follow the stated handling and return guidance.
Habico Ltd 350g jars of coloured sand are being recalled in the UK because the sand may contain a small quantity of asbestos, according to a GOV.UK product safety notice. Habico and distributors ESPO, Hampshire County Council Supplies and YPO have withdrawn the products and recalled them from end users; owners are advised to stop using them immediately.
The notice covers 350g jars of coloured play sand bought on or after 1 June 2023. Jars with or without batch codes are included. The notice says affected jars can be identified by the label wording “distributed by Habico Ltd, LS12 4BD.” Retailer-specific product names and identifiers are listed in the notice’s Annex A.
The products were supplied in assorted colours and in multi-packs, including sets of six, eight and 20 jars. Listed identifiers include ESPO codes 60038, 277363, 233439 and 06760; Hampshire County Council Supplies codes 209211 and 209213; and YPO codes 733604 and 747335. The recall also applies to the Habico-labeled product itself, so consumers should check the label and contact the relevant retailer if unsure.
The safety notice says the sand may be contaminated with asbestos and that the products do not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. It recommends that owners stop using the sand and return it to the retailer where specified for a full refund. Its disposal instructions distinguish between sand still in its packaging and sand that has already been used.
Safe Handling and Refunds
The notice concerns a product intended for arts, crafts and play, which may be handled by children and adults. Asbestos is a banned substance because it can pose a health risk even at low levels of exposure, the notice states. It does not report a confirmed illness or describe the amount of asbestos found in any individual jar.
For consumers, the immediate practical issue is to prevent further use and avoid creating dust while handling the material. The recall provides instructions for isolating unused sand, cleaning areas where it was used, and seeking a refund. Following those instructions can reduce the chance of spreading material while owners arrange return or disposal.
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Products and Retailer Identifiers
The GOV.UK report identifies the item as hobby and craft sand supplied under the Habico Ltd name and says it was made in China. The notice was submitted by Local Authority Trading Standards and is recorded as product safety case 2606-0268.
Retailer identifiers help customers check products that may have been sold under different pack descriptions. ESPO lists assorted craft sand and pastel or fluorescent sand sets; Hampshire County Council Supplies lists assorted standard-colour sand and a 20-pack; YPO lists fluorescent assorted sand and coloured sand shakers. The recall description also includes jars without batch codes, so the label identification and purchase date matter alongside any code.
“The sand in the jars may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.”
— GOV.UK product safety notice
Extent of Contamination
The notice does not state how many jars may be affected, how many were sold, or whether testing found asbestos in every product covered by the recall. It describes a possible small-quantity contamination and does not report confirmed health effects. The source material also does not give a publication date, so the timing beyond the stated purchase window and case number is not specified here.
Customers who are unsure whether their sand is included can check the Habico label and retailer identifiers, then contact the retailer or Habico. The notice gives Habico’s contact details as 0113 263 1500 and sales@habico.co.uk.
Returns and Disposal Steps
Owners should stop using the sand and follow the retailer’s return instructions to seek a full refund. ESPO customers can email product.recall@espo.org with “HABICO23” in the subject line; Hampshire County Council Supplies says affected customers have been contacted and provides county.supplies@hants.gov.uk for people who believe they have an affected product but were not contacted. YPO directs customers to its customer updates for contact details.
If the sand is still packaged, the notice says to place it in a heavy-duty plastic bag, seal it securely with tape, label it clearly and store it somewhere secure and out of children’s reach. If it has been used, clean affected areas with wet cloths to avoid generating dust, wear gloves and a mask, and double-bag the sand and used protective items and cloths. Keep children and others away until cleanup is complete. If a return is not possible, contact the local authority for area-specific safe disposal guidance.
Key Questions
Which jars of coloured sand are included in the recall?
The notice covers Habico Ltd 350g jars of coloured play sand bought on or after 1 June 2023, including jars with or without batch codes. Check for “distributed by Habico Ltd, LS12 4BD” on the label and compare retailer codes in the GOV.UK notice.
What should I do if I own an affected jar?
Stop using it immediately. Follow the notice’s instructions for securing unused sand or cleaning up sand that has been used, then contact the retailer about returning it for a full refund where specified.
How should used sand be cleaned up?
The notice advises cleaning the area with wet cloths to avoid generating dust, wearing gloves and a mask, and double-bagging the sand, gloves, mask and cloths. Keep other people, especially children, away until the area has been cleaned.
What if I cannot return the product?
Secure and bag the product as instructed, then contact your local authority or check its website for guidance on safe disposal of asbestos in your area.
Source: primary
