Retailer Issues Nationwide Toy Recall - Suspected Asbestos

The retailer Woolworth is recalling four products from its toy line. In the case of “Scented Stretchy Sand” (Watermelon and Blueberry), “Stretch Mouse 12 Centimeters,” and “Stretchy Soldier,” the sand used in these products may be contaminated with asbestos, according to consumer protection groups on Lebensmittelwarnung.de with.

Consumers can return the toy to Woolworth stores and receive a refund of the purchase price even without presenting a receipt. All federal states in Germany are affected. The recall applies to all packages and is not limited to a specific production batch, according to Woolworth in Unna.

First Findings in Australia

Reports of asbestos findings in play sand first emerged in Australia and New Zealand. There, too, the sand in question came from China. As a result, the Dutch daily newspaper AD also had samples of play sand tested in laboratories and published an overview of the asbestos findings in early 2026. 

This includes sand for play tables and crafts, as well as so-called kinetic sand, also known as magic sand. However, it remains unclear to what extent this poses health risks to children who play with the sand.

What is asbestos?

The Federal Environment Agency writes the following about this hazardous substance on its website: “Asbestos is the collective term for naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals with fiber diameters as small as 2 micrometers (1 micrometer equals one-thousandth of a millimeter).” The substance was used in very large quantities in construction for decades.

Asbestos is clearly carcinogenic, it states. A characteristic feature is that it breaks down into fine fibers, which split further and can thus be easily inhaled. Over time, the fibers can become lodged in the lungs.