Kmart cancels recall for 3 magic sand products after tests find no asbestos

Kmart NZ has cancelled the recall of Blue, Green and Pink Magic Sand sets. Photo / Product Safety NZ

Kmart has cancelled the recall of three sand products after tests found no asbestos was present.

Recall notices were issued for the Blue, Green and Pink Magic Sand products from November 15 to December 4.

However, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) announced today the company conducted tests on the products and found no asbestos.

“We encourage consumers who had acted on Kmart NZ’s recall notices ... to contact the company for remedial costs incurred,” MBIE said.

“As in the case of the products recalled voluntarily by companies and suppliers, the decision to cancel a recall is also the supplier’s decision.”

MBIE said it is aware that further tests are being commissioned.

“Ultimately, suppliers and retailers are responsible for the quality of their goods, and we would encourage consumers to seek a remedy from the supplier and retailer in the first instance.

“If you’ve incurred losses (eg in clean-up costs, etc), you might be able to obtain damages from the supplier under the Consumer Guarantees Act.”

This cancellation does not impact the recall notices for the 14-piece Sandcastle Building Set and Make Your Own Unicorn Sand Ornaments from Kmart, MBIE said.

The full list of recalled sand products is available here.

A Kmart spokesperson told the Herald: “In mid-November, Kmart and Target recalled sand-based toy products as part of industry-wide concerns about several imported sand-based toy products.

“As part of this process the Anko Magic Sand (Pink, Blue and Green) products were recalled as a precautionary measure.”

As there is no evidence of asbestos detection in these products, the voluntary recall of these products has been concluded. Consumers do not need to return or dispose of them.

“Customers who disposed of the product between November 16 and December 3, 2025 during the recall may contact Kmart customer service for a refund.

“The safety of our customers and team members remains our highest priority.”

Schools closed after recall notices

Hundreds of schools across New Zealand were forced to close after initial recall notices for various sand products were issued last month.

Nearly 250 schools and early learning services have sent queries to the Ministry of Education.

The ministry’s leader of operations and integration, Sean Teddy, said it had received queries from about 150 schools and 90 early learning services after the recall of four products.

Whakatāne’s Allandale School closed on November 17 after a small amount of the Blue, Green and Pink Magic Sand was used at the school.

Advice for consumers with recalled product:

• Stop using the product immediately.
• Don’t let children touch or play with the sand.
• Place the sand in a sealed container, then double-bag in thick plastic, seal with tape, and clearly label as “asbestos-contaminated material”.
• Don’t dispose of it in household rubbish or vacuum it up. Contact your local council for advice on where and how to dispose of the contaminated material safely.
• Refer to the clean-up and disposal instructions at this Health NZ webpage.
• Once the product is secure, people should contact their retailer for a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act.
• For further advice, call the MBIE consumer line 0508 426 678.

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