The Works has issued an urgent recall for a pack of party balloons, urging customers who have bought the item to 'stop using it immediately' due to fears they could expose children to carcinogens.
The recall applies to the Eurowrap 25pk Blue Party Balloons, as the product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. The balloons present a 'serious chemical risk' because they contain excess amounts of N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances.
Health risks from nitrosamines
Nitrosamines are carcinogenic, meaning they have the potential to cause cancer. Users can be exposed to them through ingestion or when touching their skin, and a child could be exposed by touching the balloons or by putting them in their mouth.
In light of this, the balloons have been recalled from end users by The Works and the manufacturer, Eurowrap Ltd. The recall applies to the pack of 25 Blue Party Balloons (25 "Funhouse" Party Balloons Assorted) that were sold in The Works stores between November 2025 and June 2026.
Product details and refund process
The affected product batch code is 5330002193 and the product code is 12924-BCC. The bar code for packs of the balloons sold in The Works is 5033601778202. No other production batches and no other Eurowrap Ltd products are confirmed to be affected by the recall.
A spokesperson for The Works said: "As a precautionary measure, Eurowrap Ltd is conducting a voluntary recall of all affected products from the marketplace, following an internal investigation which identified that a particular production batch may not meet the required product safety standards."
"The safety of our customers is our highest priority, and we're enforcing this action across our stores to minimise any potential risk. The affected production batch was supplied into The Works' stores between November 2025 and June 2026. No other production batches, and no other Eurowrap Ltd products are confirmed to be affected by the recall."
"If you've purchased the product listed above between November 2025 and June 2026, when the item was withdrawn from sale, we're asking you to please stop using the product immediately and return the product to any of The Works' stores for a full refund."
"You don't need a receipt when returning the product. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and thank you for your co-operation."
"If you require any further information, please feel free to contact our customer service team directly on: Email: enquiries@theworks.co.uk or Telephone: 0121 313 6050."
Manufacturer and regulator statements
A Eurowrap Ltd spokesperson said: "Following internal investigations, it's been identified that this batch may not meet the required product safety and/or quality standards as the amount of N-nitrosamines found in some balloons was in excess of permitted levels."
"As a precautionary measure, we're conducting a voluntary recall of all affected products from the marketplace. The safety of our customers is our highest priority, and we're taking this action to minimise any potential risk. If you've purchased or received this product stop using or selling the product immediately."
"Isolate any remaining stock to prevent further distribution or sale, return the product to your place of purchase or contact Eurowrap Ltd for return instructions, a full refund or replacement product (where available) will be provided. Please check the code printed on the product packaging. Only products marked 12924-BCC are affected by this recall."
An Office for Product Safety & Standards spokesperson said: "The product presents a serious chemical risk because it contains excess N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances."
"Nitrosamines are carcinogenic, and users can be exposed through ingestion or dermal exposure. A child could be exposed to them when touching or putting the product in the mouth."
"The product doesn't meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. The product has been recalled from end users by Eurowrap and The Works."
"Consumers should stop using the product immediately and keep it out of reach of children. Return the product to the retailer for a full refund or replacement."
