Global Recall Prompts Local Scrutiny

NAIROBI – An urgent recall of several popular brands of children’s coloured sand in Australia and New Zealand has put Kenyan regulators on high alert, raising critical questions about the safety of toys imported from China. On Wednesday, 12 November 2025, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced the recall of sand products, including those branded Kadink, Creatistics, and Educational Colours, after laboratory tests detected tremolite asbestos. The products, manufactured in China, were sold in major Australian retail chains, including Officeworks, between 2020 and 2025.

While there is currently no evidence that the recalled batches were sold in Kenya, the incident casts a sharp spotlight on the effectiveness of Kenya's import regulations for children's products, a vast majority of which also originate from China. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has not yet issued a public statement on this specific recall, but the development underscores the constant threat of hazardous goods entering the local market.

The Health Risks of Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral internationally recognised as a human carcinogen. Tremolite, the type found in the sand, is considered one of the more hazardous forms. According to health authorities like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), inhaling asbestos fibres can lead to severe and often fatal lung conditions, including asbestosis (scarring of the lungs), lung cancer, and mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdomen. These diseases have a long latency period, often appearing decades after exposure. Children are particularly vulnerable, as exposure at a young age increases the lifetime risk of developing these illnesses.

The ACCC has advised consumers in Australia to immediately stop using the products, seal them in a double-bag, and contact professional asbestos removalists for safe disposal, warning against placing the sand in general household waste.

Kenya's Import Verification System Under Review

All toys imported into Kenya are regulated under the KEBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, which was established in 2005. This system mandates that goods, including toys, be inspected and tested in their country of origin by KEBS-appointed agents to ensure they meet Kenyan standards before being shipped. Upon successful verification, a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is issued, which is a mandatory document for customs clearance in Kenya.

The primary objective of the PVoC programme is to protect Kenyan consumers' health and safety and shield the country from substandard or dangerous goods. However, incidents of hazardous products reaching the market are not unknown. A February 2025 study by the Centre for Environment, Justice and Development (CEJAD) found that toys sold in Nairobi contained a cocktail of harmful chemicals, including phthalates and heavy metals, linked to cancer and developmental issues. At the time, KEBS stated it could not comment on the findings but emphasized that all toys undergo pre-export inspection.

This latest asbestos-related recall from a major manufacturing hub like China raises questions about whether contaminants can bypass the PVoC checks, either through fraudulent certifications or gaps in the testing protocols for specific substances like asbestos.

A History of Asbestos Regulation in Kenya

Kenya banned the use of asbestos in 2006 due to its proven carcinogenic effects. In March 2025, the government approved a nationwide directive requiring all property owners to bear the cost of removing asbestos materials from their buildings, reinforcing the country's stance against the hazardous substance. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has established strict guidelines for the handling and disposal of asbestos waste, which is classified as hazardous. The presence of asbestos in a children's toy, therefore, represents a significant breach of both safety standards and established national health policy.

Consumer protection bodies and parents are now calling for heightened vigilance and transparency from KEBS. This incident serves as a critical reminder for Kenyan consumers to exercise caution when purchasing imported toys, check for quality certification marks, and report any suspected substandard products to the relevant authorities for investigation.