Urgent Product Recall Issued for Children's Craft Sand
A popular range of children's craft products available at Officeworks and other major retailers has been subject to an urgent recall after laboratory testing detected dangerous asbestos fibres. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) confirmed that several varieties of Educational Colours decorative coloured sand have been removed from shelves nationwide.
Affected Products and Health Risks
The recall affects three specific product lines: Rainbow Sand (1.3kg), Creatistics - Coloured Sand (1kg) and Kadink - Sand (1.3kg). Laboratory analysis identified the presence of tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring but prohibited substance in Australia. The sand was sold in multiple colours including pink, green, purple, red, orange and yellow.
While the ACCC stated that no respiratory asbestos was detected in tested samples and fibres are unlikely to become airborne unless the sand is crushed or ground, the products may still pose a significant health risk to children and families using them for art and sensory play activities.
What Consumers Need to Do Immediately
Shoppers who purchased any of these products between January 1, 2020 and October 31, 2025 are warned to stop using them immediately. The affected sand was sold nationally at Officeworks, Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids and Zart Art.
Consumers should place the sand in a heavy-duty plastic bag, seal it securely with double tape, and keep it well out of children's reach. Importantly, customers are urged not to dispose of the product in general household waste. Instead, they must take it to an approved asbestos disposal facility.
Information about proper disposal methods for asbestos waste, including locating approved facilities in your state or territory, is available through official government channels. This precautionary measure is essential to ensure community safety despite the relatively low likelihood of asbestos fibres becoming airborne during normal use.
