ASDA has expanded its urgent product recall of George ladies' handbags to 11 items after three more were found to contain dangerous levels of a restricted chemical. The Office for Product Safety and Standards has warned that the affected items pose a serious health hazard and should be returned immediately.
Three more bags added to recall
The product recall, updated on Gov.uk as of November 2, now includes three additional ladies' handbags from ASDA's George collection, following an earlier recall. The three newly added models are the Quilted Nylon Camera Bag - Burg (Barcode: 5059206287215), the Zebra Nylon Phone Bag - Animal (Barcode: 5059206286553), and the Quilted Nylon Camera Bag - Brown (Barcode: 5059206962396).
These join eight other George handbags previously flagged by safety inspectors, including the George Nylon Backpack, the Charm Hobo Workbag, the Opp Crossbody Bag, and several versions of the Front Pocket Xbody Bag and Nylon Phone Bag in black and tan. All of the recalled items were manufactured in China.
Health risk from DEHP
The Office for Product Safety and Standards revealed that the bags contain excessive concentrations of a chemical called Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, commonly known as DEHP. This chemical is restricted under UK safety regulations because it can harm human health and potentially cause damage to the reproductive system.
A statement on Gov.uk urges shoppers to stop using the bags immediately. It reads: "The product does not meet the requirements of the REACH Regulations 2008. The product has been recalled from end users by ASDA. We recommend that owners stop using the product immediately. Return the product to any ASDA store for a full refund."
How to get a refund
ASDA said that while the product passed initial tests, subsequent testing revealed phthalate levels (including DEHP) exceeding regulatory limits and failing REACH Regulations. Although no incidents have been reported, ASDA initiated the recall out of an abundance of caution for consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
Customers can return the affected bag to any store for a full refund without needing a receipt. The company apologised for the inconvenience. Safety experts are urging shoppers to check their wardrobes immediately, and anyone who owns any of the 11 affected handbags should stop using them to avoid further exposure to the chemical.
Customers who want to double-check their items can find the product names, 10-digit article numbers, and barcodes printed on the bags' internal labels. For further support, concerned shoppers can visit the official ASDA recall webpage or call the customer service team on 0330 053 0111 to confirm if their handbag is safe to use.
