It is designed to be a source of innocent creativity, but for thousands of families, children’s colored sand has turned into a potential health hazard. Australian regulators have escalated a consumer safety alert, issuing urgent recalls for multiple sand products after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of asbestos—a known carcinogen—in items imported from China.

The discovery has triggered a widening investigation involving border forces and consumer watchdogs, highlighting a vulnerability in the global toy supply chain that extends far beyond the Australian coast. While the specific recall orders are currently localized, the ubiquity of Chinese-manufactured toys in Nairobi’s markets makes this a critical development for Kenyan importers and parents alike.

The Invisible Danger

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) confirmed that traces of tremolite and chrysotile asbestos were detected in samples of colored sand. These mineral fibers, when inhaled, can cause severe respiratory diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, often decades after exposure.

The latest recall targets a range of products sold by SilverStarCrafts between December 2020 and November 2025. The regulator noted that the contamination was not isolated to a single batch, prompting a broader sweep of the market.

According to the ACCC, the affected items include:

• Sand Art Party Packs
• Sand Art Single Packs
• Sand Art Bottles
• Funny Face Sand Art Bottles

Supply Chain Scrutiny

The issue first came to light last month when asbestos was discovered in products sold at major retailers, including Kmart and Officeworks. The findings were severe enough to prompt the precautionary closure of several schools to allow for environmental testing.

The Australian Border Force has since joined the ACCC in a rigorous investigation into the supply chain. Authorities are currently engaging with suppliers to trace the origin of the contaminated raw materials. The regulator emphasized that product testing is ongoing, suggesting that more brands could be implicated in the coming days.

For Kenyan consumers, this serves as a stark reminder of the importance of product verification. With a significant portion of Kenya's toys and educational materials imported from the same Chinese manufacturing hubs, local quality control remains the primary line of defense against such hazards.

As the investigation deepens, the ACCC has maintained a firm stance: safety standards are non-negotiable. The probe continues, with regulators warning that any product putting children at risk will be immediately removed from circulation.