Coloured unicorn sand toy sold at Kmart and Target recalled over asbestos risk

A coloured sand unicorn toy sold in Kmart and Target has been recalled over asbestos contamination risk.

A children’s toy sold at Kmart and Target stores has been recalled after asbestos was detected in the sand used in the product during lab testing.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commissioner (ACCC) warned people to stop using the the craft product immediately as loose coloured sand inside Make Your Own Unicorn Sand Ornaments could contain asbestos.

“The product is being recalled because the sand may include asbestos, which is a prohibited substance in Australia,” the warning read.

A children's coloured play sand toy sold in Kmart and Target has been recalled after asbestos was detected.

“The products may cause a risk to health as asbestos has been detected in some samples after laboratory testing.”

“Importantly, respirable asbestos has not been detected in any of the tested samples.”

A Kmart spokesperson said the stores had acted quickly,

“In mid November, Kmart and Target recalled sand-based toy products as part of industry-wide concerns about several imported sand-based toy products,” the spokesperson said.

“When notified of the potential for traces of asbestos to be detected in sand-based toy products, Kmart and Target immediately commenced investigation of sand-based toy products and has this week announced a voluntary recall of the Make Your Own Unicorn Sand Ornaments product after test results detected traces of tremolite asbestos.

“This is the same type that has been identified in other sand products sold by retailers across the industry.  

“As two of Australia’s most trusted brands, we put customer safety and product integrity first.

“While independent experts have commented that the risk is ‘negligible’, the traces of asbestos as detected here is not acceptable.”

An ACCC spokesman said the release of respirable asbestos fibres was unlikely to occur in its current state, unless the sand was processed by mechanical means such as crushing or pulverising.

“The risk that any asbestos found is likely to be airborne or fine enough for inhalation is low,” a spokesman said.

Consumers were told to return the product to Kmart or Target for a full refund.

Consumers have been told the return the product to Kmart or Target for a full refund. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

It comes after several other colourful sand products were suspected to contain asbestos, with hundreds of schools across the country impacted.

Dozens of public schools temporarily shut their doors in the ACT, and one independent school in Queensland was forced to close as a cleaning crew removed the toxic substance.

More than 40 schools in Tasmania were also affected by the recall.

Originally published as Coloured unicorn sand toy sold at Kmart and Target recalled over asbestos risk