Asbestos could be present in a range of brightly coloured sand products aimed at children and sold at retailers including Officeworks, the consumer watchdog has warned.
The Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued an urgent recall notice on Wednesday night for products Kadink Sand (1.3 kilogram), Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand (1.3 kilogram) and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1 kilogram) over fears they may contain the hazardous material that is prohibited in Australia.
Some of the coloured sand that has been recalled.Credit: ACCC
The products were recalled because they may contain tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring asbestos, the ACCC said, which was detected in some samples after laboratory testing.
The sand products in question were sold across Australia between 2020 and 2025 at various retailers including Officeworks, Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids and Zart Art.
ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said Officeworks was a major supplier of the products.
“We expect they will take all the necessary steps to alert their customers,” she said.
The 1.3kg EC Rainbow Sand was included in the recall.Credit: ACCC
“We continue to engage with suppliers and expect all to provide appropriate support to consumers including responding to queries, and providing advice about arranging a refund.”
Lowe also issued a warning to customers about how to handle the products suspected of containing asbestos.
