Toxic Toys with Asbestos Removed from Maltese Market
Summary
The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) has removed seven toy products containing asbestos from the Maltese market. Consumers who purchased these items are urged to stop using them and return them to retailers for redress.
What changed
The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) has issued a notice regarding the removal of seven specific toy products from the Maltese market due to the presence of asbestos. The affected products include various items from HTI Toys and Addo Play Ltd, such as kinetic sand and sand art kits. The MCCAA has taken immediate measures to ensure these products are no longer available for sale.
Consumers who have purchased any of the identified products are strongly advised to cease using them immediately. They should follow specific instructions for safe disposal or return to the retailer for a refund. For products already removed from packaging, consumers must wear protective gloves and masks during handling and cleaning. Retailers are obligated to provide redress to affected consumers. The MCCAA also highlighted other potentially affected products available through online platforms, urging public caution.
What to do next
- Consumers: Stop using identified toys, return to retailer or follow disposal instructions.
- Retailers: Remove affected products from sale and provide redress to consumers.
- Consumers: Exercise caution with similar products available online.
Source document (simplified)
Last updated on 13 Mar, 2026
Potentially Dangerous Toys Removed from the Market
The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) would like to inform the public about the dangers associated with toys and similar products containing kinetic sand or decorative sand.
Asbestos has been identified in a number of such products recalled in overseas markets, including Australia and the European Union. Exposure to asbestos is associated with significant long-term respiratory illnesses, and even minimal exposure may pose health risks.
The MCCAA informs that the following seven products have been found available on the Maltese market and measures have been taken to ensure that these products are removed with immediate effect.
HTI Toys – Stretcherz Stretch Squad (12 astd) Item Number: 1376624
Barcode: 5050837662419
HTI Toys – Stretcherz Slammerz 4 Pack Item Number: 1350110
Barcode: 5050835011042
HTI Toys – Stretcherz Stretch Squad Toys Assorted Figures 4 Pack Date Code: 090625
Barcode: 5050837662952
SKU: 6018550
Addo Play Ltd – Out to Impress Sand Art Creations
Item code: 318-19149-B
Addo Play Ltd – Out to Impress Creative Candles
Item code: 318-19180-B
Addo Play Ltd – Paw Patrol Sand Art Pictures
Item code: 320-14142-N
Paw Patrol Bumper Craft Collection
Item code: 320-14145-N
Orb Funkee Sand Toys
Item code: 17741, 17736, 17451, 17459,42228,17409,41929
Consumers who may have purchased any of the above-mentioned products are urged to immediately stop using them and to follow the steps below. If the sand is still in its original packaging, place the product in a heavy-duty plastic bag, seal it tightly, label it clearly, and return it to the retailer from where it was purchased. If the sand has already been used or removed from its original packaging, consumers should wear disposable gloves and a mask before handling the product. The sand, together with any used gloves, mask, and cleaning cloths, should be placed in a double plastic bag, sealed tightly, and labelled. The affected surface should be cleaned using wet cloths, to avoid generating dust, and hands are to be washed thoroughly after handling. Retailers are obliged to redress consumers.
Although from preliminary investigations, the other products listed hereunder were not found available on the Maltese market, for the purpose of broader public awareness and as a precautionary measure, the MCCAA is also drawing the public’s attention to such products. These products may nonetheless be accessible to consumers in Malta through online platforms and the Authority is therefore urging the public to exercise caution. Consumers are advised to check if they have any of these products that match the description and the barcode/model/serial number found in the links made publicly available and listed hereunder:
HTI Toys – Stretcherz Stretch Squad Dinosaur Figures
Kadink Decorative Sand 10g – 6 Pack
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/search-consumer-product-recalls/kadink-decorative-sand-10g-6-pack
Sax International Pty Ltd – MIKI Sand Art Set
MIKI Sand Art Set | ACCC Product Safety
CleverPatch – Various Coloured Sand / Glitter Sand / Sand Art Kits
Sand Art Activity Kit – sold on crazysales.com.au
Sand Art Activity Kit - sold on crazysales.com.au | ACCC Product Safety
Montessori Sand Tray Writing Activity Set
Montessori Sand Tray Writing Activity Set | ACCC Product Safety
Gem’s Wedding Supplies – Coloured Decorative Sand Products
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/system/files/recall/Recall%20Advertisement_264.pdf
Shein Distribution Australia Pty Ltd – Multi-Colour / Multi-Size Ultra-Fine Quartz Sand 80–120 Mesh for play and various art/decor applications
Toymate – Scoop and Play Ice Cream Sensory Bin and Scoop and Play Dino Discovery Sensory Bin
Kmart Australia Ltd – Make Your Own Unicorn Sand Ornament
Make Your Own Unicorn Sand Ornament | ACCC Product Safety
HL Toys International – Sensory Activity Sets – PAW Patrol, Bluey and Frozen 2
Sensory Activity Sets – PAW Patrol, Bluey & Frozen 2 - Sold at Kmart | ACCC Product Safety
Kidsplay Crafts – Coloured Sand and Sand Art Party Packs
Various coloured sand and sand art party packs | ACCC Product Safety
Modern Brands Pty Ltd – Melissa and Doug – Sand Art Bottle
Melissa & Doug - Sand Art Bottle | ACCC Product Safety
Modern Brands – Galt – Mini Makes – Sand Stickers
Galt - Mini Makes - Sand Stickers | ACCC Product Safety
Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand (1.3 kg), Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1 kg), Kadink – Coloured Decorative Sand (1.3 kg) and Kadink – Cotton Sensory Sand (700 g)
AliExpress – Wooden Qiyi – Work Pad
AliExpress Leksak Sandritbräda - Farliga produkter
HTI – STRETCHERZ
https://www.htigroup.co.uk/portfolio-item/recall-information/
The MCCAA will continue to carry out market surveillance activities to monitor the safety of products available on the Maltese market and to take the necessary measures to protect consumers. Consumers are always reminded to check the Safety Gate platform before purchasing products, in order to verify whether a product they are about to purchase has been listed as dangerous:
https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport
For queries relating to the products being recalled kindly get in touch with the Market Surveillance Directorate on [email protected].
For queries relating to the remedies available to consumers who have purchased the recalled products, kindly get in touch with the Office for Consumer Affairs on [email protected].
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