The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) expanded its recall of Habico Ltd 350g jars of coloured sand on 22 July 2026, extending it to jars with and without batch codes1. The recall was first published on 9 July 2026 and covers 350g jars of coloured play sand purchased on or after 1 June 20231.
The hazard is that the sand in the jars may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos, which the notice describes as a banned substance because it poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure1. The products do not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 20111. The affected product can be identified by the statement "distributed by Habico Ltd, LS12 4BD" printed on the label1. The product is listed as hobby and sports equipment, arts, crafts and needlework sand supplies, branded Habico Ltd, with country of origin China1.
The products have been withdrawn from the market and recalled from end users by Habico Limited, ESPO, Hampshire County Council Supplies and YPO Limited1. The notice carries retailer-specific product identifiers for each distributor:
| Distributor | Product identifiers |
|---|---|
| Hampshire County Council Supplies | 209211 Sand, 8 Assorted Standard Colours; 209213 Coloured Sand Assorted, 350g (20 Pack) |
| YPO Limited | 733604 Sand Fluorescent Assorted Colours 350g Pack of 6; 747335 Coloured Sand 350g Shakers, Pack of 20, Assorted |
The notice states that affected Hampshire County Council Supplies customers have been contacted directly, and that anyone who believes they have an affected product but has not been contacted should email county.supplies@hants.gov.uk1. ESPO asks for emails to product.recall@espo.org with the reference HABICO23 in the subject line1. Habico Limited can be contacted on 0113 263 1500 or at sales@habico.co.uk1.
Why it matters for households
The recall applies to households that bought 350g jars of Habico coloured play sand on or after 1 June 2023, whether or not the jar carries a batch code1. The OPSS advises owners to stop using the product immediately and return it to the retailer where specified for a full refund1. Its disposal instructions state that sand still in its packaging should be placed in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double taped securely, labelled clearly and stored in a secure location out of the reach of children1. Where the sand has been used, it advises cleaning sites with wet cloths to avoid generating dust, wearing gloves and a mask, and double bagging the sand, gloves, mask and cloths1. It also advises keeping children and other people away from areas where the sand has been used until the area has been cleaned1. If the product cannot be returned to the retailer, the OPSS says to follow those steps and contact the local authority or access its website for guidance on safe disposal of asbestos in the area1. Further information is available on the GOV.UK page on asbestos in consumer products1. The notice does not give a figure for the number of jars affected, and no cases of illness linked to the product have been reported in it1.
What happens next
The recall page has been updated several times since first publication: on 22 July 2026 to include jars with and without batch codes, on 6 August 2026 with the addition of a YPO recall and an update to the image and product description, on 10 August 2026 with the addition of distributors YPO Limited and ESPO, and on 28 September 2026 with the addition of Hampshire County Council Supplies as a retailer1. No closing date for the recall is given1. Households can find related guidance in the site's food hub.
