West Berkshire Council has urged residents to stop using some recalled children’s craft and toy products after officials said certain sand-based items were found to contain very low levels of asbestos. The council said outdoor play sand is not affected and directed households to check the government recall list.
West Berkshire Council has warned residents to check recalled children’s craft and toy products after national recalls linked some sand-based items to very low levels of asbestos.
The council published safety advice on May 18, 2026, saying affected products should not be used and should be compared against the government recall list. It said outdoor play sand is not affected.
The warning comes after a series of Office for Product Safety and Standards recalls in April and May. Those included Smyths Toys Dig Products, the Galt Nature Craft Kit and Hunter Price’s Crayola-branded Discovery Craft Box.
According to the official recall notices, sand-like material in the affected products posed a health risk because of possible asbestos contamination. ITV later reported that more than 100 children’s toys had been recalled over asbestos risk since January.
West Berkshire Council told residents who have any of the affected items to stop using them and follow retailer or manufacturer disposal guidance.
The council’s advice adds to similar public notices issued elsewhere in the country as local authorities respond to the wider recall wave.
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