Hobbycraft issues full recall of asbestos-tainted children’s play sand
Hobbycraft has issued a full recall of children’s coloured play sand after confirming some bottles contained asbestos, presenting “a risk to health”.The Guardian revealed at the weekend that the craft retailer had stopped selling the kit after being alerted to the risk but had stopped short of alerting customers who had already bought the item.The asbestos was discovered by a customer whose children had played with the sand at a party.The parent, who did not wish to be named, recognised it from reports of a recall in Australia and New Zealand and paid for a lab test.She alerted Hobbycraft when three of the five bottles in its Giant Box of Craft set were found to contain fibrous tremolite asbestos.
The chain withdrew the product from sale but declined to issue a recall notice, saying no UK authority had warned of a risk and there was no evidence of harm to customers.However, after carrying out its own independent tests, Hobbycraft has now issued a full recall, stating: “The product presents a risk to health as the vials of sand included in the set may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.“Asbestos is a banned substance because it poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure.The product does not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.”It is now instructing customers who bought the sand to stop using it immediately and keep it out of the reach of children.
If the sand is still in its packaging, they should place it in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double tape it securely, label it clearly and store it in a secure location out of the reach of children.If the sand has been used, they should clean the area with wet cloths to avoid generating dust, while wearing gloves and a mask, then double bag the sand, gloves, mask and cloths.Parents can return the sand vials at a Hobbycraft store for a full refund or dispose of the sand in general household waste and contact the retailer for a full refund.Asbestos can cause cancer in later life if inhaled, although the risk to children who played with the sand is thought to be low.The affected play sand was manufactured in China where goods containing less than 5% asbestos can be labelled as asbestos free.
“Following independent testing of a children’s sand product previously sold by Hobbycraft, traces of asbestos have been identified in a limited number of samples,” a spokesperson for the company said,“In coordination with trading standards and the Office for Product Safety and Standards, we are voluntarily recalling the Giant Box of Craft with immediate effect,“This recall is being undertaken as a precaution, in line with regulatory guidance and our own commitment to product safety,We are in the process of proactively contacting customers where we have their contact details,”
Reform’s Matt Goodwin is sure he’s the right man for Gorton and Denton. He just doesn’t know why… | John Crace
An idiot’s guide to running a byelection campaign. First, know your constituency boundaries. Sometimes easier said than done. On Tuesday morning, Lee Anderson was to be found doing a photo op for the Gorton and Denton byelection by posing outside the Stanley hotel. Which just happens to be in Angela Rayner’s constituency
30% of Britons think Burnham would do better job than Starmer as prime minister, poll suggests – as it happened
Reform UK has announced that Matt Goodwin, the campaigner and former academic, as its candidate in Gorton and Denton.In a news release, Reform said:Matt is a leading writer, broadcaster and academic. He was made by Manchester - which he calls ‘the greatest city in the world’. He lived in the city for many years and considers it home.Matt’s family is from Manchester
Was Labour right to block Andy Burnham’s return as an MP? | Letters
The argument that it would be too costly to run a mayoral election in Manchester and run the risk of its being won by Reform UK is perfectly valid (‘Huge mistake’: Labour in turmoil as Burnham blocked from byelection race, 25 January). The problem is that that is not how the decision of the Labour party’s national executive committee will be read. And this is now a pattern.Kicking off with the foolhardy acceptance of luxury goodies from Lord Alli, fast followed by the removal of pensioners’ winter fuel payments and going on to a failure to read the runes over the grooming gangs and many other depressing own goals, this government has demonstrated a quite astonishing lack of self-awareness.Keir Starmer is now beginning to resemble, of all unlikely people, Boris Johnson in his seeming inability to grasp how badly some of his decisions – and subsequent reversals – reflect on him
‘Not surprised at all’: Fareham voters size up Suella Braverman’s Reform switch
For Jamie Jewell, the pub owner at the Golden Lion, there has been radio silence from his local MP, Suella Braverman. In January last year, the MP for Fareham and Waterlooville visited the pub, offered to help the owners with removing a protected tree that was damaging the property, and posted photos with the staff on her Facebook page and for local media.Jewell has not heard back from her since. “I’ve sent emails saying ‘we need support here’ and never received a response. Not even an acknowledgment,” Jewell said
Burnham accuses No 10 sources of lying about byelection decision
The Labour party’s civil war over the Gorton and Denton byelection has intensified after Andy Burnham accused Downing Street sources of lying about his decision to apply to stand in the Manchester seat.The Manchester mayor was reacting to suggestions by unnamed Keir Starmer allies that he had been told “in no uncertain terms” that any request to the NEC committee to put his name forward for the byelection would be refused.Responding to a post on X by ITV’s political editor, Robert Peston, which suggested sources close to the PM therefore saw Burnham’s move to stand as an explicit attempt to destabilise Starmer, Burnham wrote: “This is simply untrue.” Peston then sent a follow-up message saying a second source had backed up Burnham’s version of events, adding that Burnham was “seeking an urgent call with No 10 about the briefing”.A No 10 spokesperson said it was not true that anyone close to Starmer had told Burnham the NEC would refuse his application
Labour’s Gorton and Denton byelection campaign hit by fallout from ‘vile’ WhatsApp chat
Labour’s campaign for a vital byelection has been dealt a fresh blow after six local councillors were found to have breached standards rules in a “vile” WhatsApp chat.Andrew Gwynne, a former health minister, was suspended last year over offensive messages he sent in the “Trigger Me Timbers” group, including one saying he hoped a 72-year-old woman “croaks it” before an election.Six Labour councillors have now been found to have shown “complete disregard” for standards in public life, the Guardian has learned – including one judged to have made “several remarks that a reasonable person would find racist”.The findings of a damning independent investigation into the WhatsApp group are due to be considered by councillors next week, less than four weeks before the Gorton and Denton byelection expected on 26 February.Gwynne apologised again last week for messages he sent as he announced his retirement as the MP for the south-east Manchester seat
The value of the Australian dollar is high right now. So should you book that overseas trip?
‘Very low bar’: analysts say Starmer faces slim pickings in China
How ICE is using facial recognition in Minnesota
UK ministers accept $1m from Meta amid social media ban consultation
Elena Rybakina blows away Iga Swiatek to reach Australian Open semi-final against Jessica Pegula
Alex de Minaur fell a distance short at the Australian Open. Will he ever win a major? | Simon Cambers