HTI Sand Art Bottle Kit Recall: Asbestos in Play Sand

The HTI Toys Fun Sand Art Bottle Kit has been recalled because the coloured sand in the kit may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos. The recall was first published on 1 July 2026 and, on 21 September 2026, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) expanded it to manufacturer level. If you have this kit at home, stop using it now, don't sweep or vacuum it up, and follow the steps below to bag it and get a full refund.

What the recall notice says

According to the OPSS recall notice (case 2607-0020), the kit was sold by the retailer Curious Minds (Grasshopper Toys) and made by HTI Toys. The notice says the sand "may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos", that asbestos is a banned substance because it poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure, and that the product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. HTI Toys and the retailer have withdrawn it from sale and are recalling it from people who already own it.

The kit is described as a sensory toy: a set with several colours of sand, used for filling bottles in layers. The notice doesn't give an age range, so treat it as relevant to any household with young children, including toddlers who like to tip, pour and taste.

How to check if your kit is affected

The notice lists these identifiers for the affected product:

Detail	Affected product
Product	HTI Toys Fun Sand Art Bottle Kit
Barcode	5050837373315
HTI item number	1373773
HTI batch code	15TT1
Country of origin	China
Sold by	Curious Minds (Grasshopper Toys)

Check the barcode and batch code on the packaging. If you've thrown the box away but still have the sand, it's safest to assume it could be affected and follow the steps below, or contact the retailer.

What to do if you have the kit

These steps come straight from the OPSS notice and its guidance on asbestos in consumer products:

1. Stop using it immediately.
2. If the sand is still sealed in its packaging, place it in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double-tape it securely, label it clearly and store it somewhere secure, out of the reach of children.
3. If the sand has been used or opened, clean the places it was used with wet cloths so you don't create dust. Wear gloves and a mask. Double-bag the sand, gloves, mask and cloths.
4. Keep children and other people away from the areas where the sand was used until they've been cleaned.
5. Return it to Grasshopper Toys for a full refund. You don't need a receipt.
6. If you can't return it, follow the same bagging steps and contact your local authority for guidance on disposing of asbestos safely in your area.

The key point is the wet-wipe method: the risk from asbestos is from fibres that get into the air and are breathed in, so brushing or hoovering dry sand is the opposite of what you want. The OPSS guidance says there is no safe level of asbestos in consumer products, though asbestos bound within an intact product is less harmful than airborne fibres.

If your child has already played with it

It's natural to worry, and the honest answer is that we can't tell you your child's individual risk. What we can say is what the official sources say. The NHS notes that asbestos-related illness such as asbestosis is caused by exposure to asbestos and that it can take 20 to 30 years after exposure before symptoms appear, so there's nothing you'd expect to notice now. The OPSS notice doesn't set out any health check for children who have used the kit. If you're worried, speak to your GP or call NHS 111 and tell them what your child was exposed to and when; the notice also points you to the retailer and your local authority for further information.

This isn't the only sand kit recalled

The HTI kit is one of a run of recalls. In June 2026 Which? reported that it had tested nine sand kits and found tremolite asbestos in two of them, including a Montessori-style sand art tray sold via online marketplaces and a sand bottle art set sold at Asda, and said that dozens of asbestos-contaminated sand product recalls had been issued since November 2025. The likely thread is cheap coloured or craft sand, so the practical habit is to check any sand-based toy against the OPSS list rather than assume a big-name shop means it's been tested.

The OPSS says the affected products are listed on its product safety alerts, reports and recalls page. If you're concerned about a product that isn't listed, the guidance points you to Citizens Advice's consumer service in England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland in Scotland, or your district council in Northern Ireland.

Sensory play without the worry

You don't need to give up messy play. If you're buying or accepting sand-type toys, a few habits help:

• Search the OPSS list by product name before you buy, and again before you hand any sand kit to a younger sibling or on to a friend.
• Be extra careful with unbranded or marketplace sellers, where a recall may not reach you. Our guide to toy safety standards explains what UKCA and CE marking do and don't tell you.
• Treat hand-me-downs and second-hand toys with the same care. Our guide to buying second-hand baby gear safely covers how to check items against recall notices.
• Register your purchases with the manufacturer where you can, so a recall can reach you directly.

See our recent write-ups of other recalls, including the Groovy Baby "I Spy a Fly" book recall and the OPSS warning on water beads.

The bottom line

Check your barcode (5050837373315) and batch code (15TT1), stop using the kit, bag it, wipe rather than sweep, and take it back to Grasshopper Toys for a full refund with no receipt needed. If your child has played with it and you're worried, talk to your GP or NHS 111.