A nationwide product recall has been issued for several children’s toys sold across major UK retailers after officials discovered the sand inside may contain asbestos. Authorities are urging parents and caregivers to stop using the products immediately and follow disposal guidance.
A range of toys containing “Funkee Sand” has been withdrawn from the market following a safety alert from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). The regulator warned that the material used in the toys may be contaminated with a small amount of asbestos, a substance banned in consumer products due to its health risks.
The toys were widely available in the United Kingdom between July 2025 and February 2026 and were sold through retailers including The Entertainer, Tesco, Matalan, Hobbycraft and British Garden Centres. Officials say the recall is precautionary but advise owners to remove the toys from use and keep them away from children while arranging disposal or a return.
Several Funkee Sand Toys Withdrawn From Sale Across Major Retailers
The recall affects multiple toys from the ORB Funkee Sand range. According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards, the products include Glow-in-the-dark Jumbo Monkey (17741), Funkee Small Axolotl (17459), Funkee Monkee Mega (41929), Galaxy Jumbo Monkey (17736), Gold Jumbo Monkey (17451), Funkee Small Dogs (42228), and Funkee Jumbo Dog (17409).
These items were sold by several well-known UK retailers over a seven-month period. According to the safety notice issued by the OPSS, the toys have been withdrawn from the market and recalled from consumers after the possible contamination was identified.
The regulator states that the sand used in the toys “may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.” Because asbestos fibers pose health risks even at low levels of exposure, the substance is banned from use in consumer products. According to the OPSS, the toys therefore do not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Retailer The Entertainer is managing the recall for end users. Customers who purchased any of the listed toys are being advised to stop using them immediately and keep them out of the reach of children until they are properly disposed of or returned.
Safety Guidance Issued for Disposal and Product Returns
Authorities have also published detailed instructions for owners on how to handle the affected toys safely. According to the OPSS guidance, if the sand remains sealed in its original packaging, consumers should place the packaging inside a heavy-duty plastic bag, seal it securely with tape, clearly label it, and store it in a location out of children’s reach.
If the sand has already been used, the recommended cleanup process involves wiping surfaces with wet cloths in order to prevent dust from forming. Consumers are advised to wear gloves and a mask during cleanup and to double-bag the sand along with the cloths, gloves, and mask used in the process. The guidance also stresses that children and other individuals should be kept away from areas where the sand was used until cleaning has been completed.
Consumers have two options after securing the product. According to the recall notice, the toys can be disposed of in general household waste or returned to the retailer that sold them. Retailers are expected to provide customers with a full refund. For further information about the recall, customers can contact The Entertainer through the company’s product recall email or its dedicated freephone number, as stated in the safety notice issued alongside the recall announcement.
