Schools, retailers and government agencies told parents that asbestos-contaminated play sand was low risk based on a supplier's own assessment that was never independently verified, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- Assurances about asbestos in children's play sand relied on a supplier's own assessment, not independent testing, the Guardian reports.
- Educational Colours sand products were pulled from shelves in November 2025 after samples were found to contain asbestos.
- More than 20 similar recalls followed across different brands and retailers.
- The ACCC has updated some recall notices to state products 'may cause risk to health', contrary to earlier claims.
Schools, retailers and government agencies assured parents that asbestos-contaminated play sand posed a low risk to children’s health based on a supplier’s own assessment that was not independently verified, according to an exclusive report by the Guardian.
The public messaging, now contested, spread quickly after a range of Educational Colours children’s sand products were pulled from shelves in November 2025. The Guardian reports that samples of the products were found to contain asbestos.
That initial recall was followed by more than 20 similar recalls across different brands and retailers, according to the Guardian.
Parents had been told the contamination was low risk unless the material was ‘pulverised’. However, the Guardian reports that regulators had not tested the products themselves, instead relying on the supplier’s assessment.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has since updated some recall notices to say the products ‘may cause risk to health’, contrary to previous claims about the level of risk, the Guardian reports.
The revelations raise questions about how safety assurances were reached and communicated to families across Australia and New Zealand following the discovery of asbestos in the children’s products.
Why it matters
Millions of parents rely on official safety assurances when products are recalled, and the reliance on an unverified supplier assessment calls into question how such risk messaging is produced. Asbestos exposure is a serious health concern, making transparency about testing and risk especially important for families of young children.
Frequently asked questions
What play sand products were recalled?
A range of Educational Colours children's sand products were pulled from shelves in November 2025 after samples were found to contain asbestos, followed by more than 20 similar recalls across different brands and retailers, according to the Guardian.the
Why were parents told the sand was low risk?
According to the Guardian, the low-risk assurances were based on a supplier's own assessment that was not independently verified by regulators, who had not tested the products themselves.
Has the official messaging changed?
Yes. The Guardian reports the ACCC has updated some recall notices to say the products 'may cause risk to health', contrary to previous claims.