Following the discovery of asbestos-contaminated play sand last week, toy manufacturer Toi-Toys has tested and recalled their Pufferz toy line.
These toys, which come as innocent-looking stretchable and colourful puffer figures, also have a compromised sand filling.
This news comes after multiple Dutch labs found both white and (more dangerously) grey asbestos in children’s play toys last week.
Toi-Toy’s in trouble
As AD reports, the company tested all its sand-related products following the earlier news that asbestos had been found in children’s ‘magic’ kinetic play sand.
Unfortunately, these puffer toys also came back positive.
READ MORE | Dutch labs discover asbestos in childrens’ play sand
These Pufferz toys have a colourful, stretchable coating with a fun-to-squish sand filling. However, if torn or punctured, the filling can spill out and cause damage.
In addition to this, AD confirms that last week, seller Action also stopped selling a separate sand-filled toy known as Stretcherz after asbestos was found.
First Australia, now the Netherlands
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) launched their investigation into children’s play sand last month following a major scare and recall of these products in Australia.
The investigation down under resulted in over 70 school closures, according to RTL Nieuws. In response, Dutch authorities began testing similar sand-based products.
Findings showed widespread contamination of multiple sand products.
While the asbestos levels were low (0.1%), any amount is illegal in children’s products, leaving manufacturers and retailers scrambling.
One can only hope that from now on, these products will be examined more carefully before reaching the shelves.
Have you been affected by this? Let us know in the comments!
