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Kmart Expands Magic Sand Recall After More Products Test Positive for Asbestos

By Geet G16 November 2025 at 8:49 pm

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Kmart Expands Magic Sand Recall After More Products Test Positive for Asbestos Published by Webfit News 15 November 2025 The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has expanded the recall of Magic Sand products sold at Kmart. New test results confirmed that more items contain tremolite asbestos. Because of this, MBIE is urging families, schools and workplaces to act quickly and stop using the sand. What MBIE Found Independent testing by the Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia and New Zealand found asbestos in four Kmart Magic Sand products. These include: 14 piece Sandcastle Building Set Blue Magic Sand Green Magic Sand Pink Magic Sand Earlier in the week, MBIE recalled EC Rainbow Sand and Creatistics Coloured Sand. The recall has now widened because the new samples failed testing. As a result, MBIE is continuing to test similar items in the market. What MBIE Says MBIE Product Safety Spokesperson Ian Caplin says parents and caregivers should treat the recall seriously. He encouraged families to secure the products immediately and follow local council disposal advice. He also reminded workplaces to be careful. For example, schools and early learning centres should call a licensed asbestos assessor before anyone handles or moves the sand. According to Mr Caplin, Kmart responded quickly and supported safety efforts. In addition, he confirmed that more test results may arrive soon, so further updates are expected. Health Advice Asbestos is a known carcinogen. People usually inhale the fibres when they become airborne. The long term risk increases with repeated exposure. However, a single short exposure has a very low risk. Anyone with health concerns can talk to their GP or call Healthline on 0800 611 116. What Consumers Should Do Now MBIE has listed clear steps for safe handling and disposal. Consumers should: Stop using the product right away Keep children away from the sand Place the sand in a strong container and double bag it Label the bag as asbestos contaminated Avoid vacuuming or putting the sand in household rubbish Contact the local council for safe disposal advice Ask the retailer for a refund once the sand is secured Call the MBIE Consumer Line on 0508 426 678 for support After the sand is secured, people can follow the clean up guide on the Health NZ website. This helps reduce any chance of accidental exposure. Guidance for Workplaces Workplaces must follow stricter procedures. If the sand is sealed, move it to a safe area. If the sand has been used, block off the space and ask everyone to leave. This step prevents fibres from spreading. Next, a licensed asbestos assessor must inspect the area. No one should return until the assessor confirms that the space is safe. Meanwhile, schools and early learning services must also notify the Ministry of Education. Clothing worn during exposure must go into asbestos waste. This helps avoid accidental contamination. A full list of licensed assessors is available on the WorkSafe website. Kmart’s Response Kmart has cooperated with MBIE and acted promptly during the recall. More items from other suppliers are now being tested. As a result, authorities expect further updates once testing is complete. Where to Get More Information Product Safety New Zealand website WorkSafe Asbestos Removal Licence Holders Register Health advice at info.health.nz MBIE Consumer Helpline: 0508 426 678 The earlier recall notice for EC Rainbow Sand and Creatistics Coloured Sand is also available on the Product Safety New Zealand website. Webfit News will continue to share updates as they become available. Proper Reference Source: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Updated Media Release “Sand Recall Expanded: samples of Kmart Magic Sand products found to contain asbestos” Released on 15 November 2025 via MBIE Media Team Email source: Media MBIE Media@mbie.govt.nz If you want, I can also check your new readability score and tune it to reach full green. — <p>Kmart Expands Magic Sand Recall After More Products Test Positive for Asbestos</p> <p>Published by Webfit News<br /> 15 November 2025</p> <p>The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has expanded the recall of Magic Sand products sold at Kmart. New test results confirmed that more items contain tremolite asbestos. Because of this, MBIE is urging families, schools and workplaces to act quickly and stop using the sand.</p> <p>What MBIE Found</p> <p>Independent testing by the Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia and New Zealand found asbestos in four Kmart Magic Sand products. These include:</p> <p>14 piece Sandcastle Building Set</p> <p>Blue Magic Sand</p> <p>Green Magic Sand</p> <p>Pink Magic Sand</p> <p>Earlier in the week, MBIE recalled EC Rainbow Sand and Creatistics Coloured Sand. The recall has now widened because the new samples failed testing. As a result, MBIE is continuing to test similar items in the market.</p> <p>What MBIE Says</p> <p>MBIE Product Safety Spokesperson Ian Caplin says parents and caregivers should treat the recall seriously. He encouraged families to secure the products immediately and follow local council disposal advice.</p> <p>He also reminded workplaces to be careful. For example, schools and early learning centres should call a licensed asbestos assessor before anyone handles or moves the sand.</p> <p>According to Mr Caplin, Kmart responded quickly and supported safety efforts. In addition, he confirmed that more test results may arrive soon, so further updates are expected.</p> <p>Health Advice</p> <p>Asbestos is a known carcinogen. People usually inhale the fibres when they become airborne. The long term risk increases with repeated exposure. However, a single short exposure has a very low risk.</p> <p>Anyone with health concerns can talk to their GP or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.</p> <p>What Consumers Should Do Now</p> <p>MBIE has listed clear steps for safe handling and disposal. Consumers should:</p> <p>Stop using the product right away</p> <p>Keep children away from the sand</p> <p>Place the sand in a strong container and double bag it</p> <p>Label the bag as asbestos contaminated</p> <p>Avoid vacuuming or putting the sand in household rubbish</p> <p>Contact the local council for safe disposal advice</p> <p>Ask the retailer for a refund once the sand is secured</p> <p>Call the MBIE Consumer Line on 0508 426 678 for support</p> <p>After the sand is secured, people can follow the clean up guide on the Health NZ website. This helps reduce any chance of accidental exposure.</p> <p>Guidance for Workplaces</p> <p>Workplaces must follow stricter procedures. If the sand is sealed, move it to a safe area. If the sand has been used, block off the space and ask everyone to leave. This step prevents fibres from spreading.</p> <p>Next, a licensed asbestos assessor must inspect the area. No one should return until the assessor confirms that the space is safe. Meanwhile, schools and early learning services must also notify the Ministry of Education.</p> <p>Clothing worn during exposure must go into asbestos waste. This helps avoid accidental contamination.</p> <p>A full list of licensed assessors is available on the WorkSafe website.</p> <p>Kmart’s Response</p> <p>Kmart has cooperated with MBIE and acted promptly during the recall. More items from other suppliers are now being tested. As a result, authorities expect further updates once testing is complete.</p> <p>Where to Get More Information</p> <p>Product Safety New Zealand website</p> <p>WorkSafe Asbestos Removal Licence Holders Register</p> <p>Health advice at info.health.nz</p> <p>MBIE Consumer Helpline: 0508 426 678</p> <p>The earlier recall notice for EC Rainbow Sand and Creatistics Coloured Sand is also available on the Product Safety New Zealand website. Webfit News will continue to share updates as they become available.</p> <p>Proper Reference</p> <p>Source:<br /> Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment<br /> Updated Media Release<br /> “Sand Recall Expanded: samples of Kmart Magic Sand products found to contain asbestos”<br /> Released on 15 November 2025 via MBIE Media Team<br /> Email source: Media MBIE Media@mbie.govt.nz</p> <p>If you want, I can also check your new readability score and tune it to reach full green.</p>

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has expanded the recall of Magic Sand products sold at Kmart. New test results confirmed that more items contain tremolite asbestos. Because of this, MBIE is urging families, schools, and workplaces to act quickly and stop using the sand.

What MBIE Found

Independent testing by the Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia and New Zealand found asbestos in four Kmart Magic Sand products. These include:

14-piece Sandcastle Building Set
Blue Magic Sand
Green Magic Sand
Pink Magic Sand

Earlier in the week, MBIE recalled EC Rainbow Sand and Creatistics Coloured Sand. The recall has now widened because the new samples failed testing. As a result, MBIE is continuing to test similar items in the market.

What MBIE Says

MBIE Product Safety Spokesperson Ian Caplin says parents and caregivers should treat the recall seriously. He encouraged families to secure the products immediately and follow local council disposal advice.

He also reminded workplaces to be careful. For example, schools and early learning centres should call a licensed asbestos assessor before anyone handles or moves the sand.

According to Mr Caplin, Kmart responded quickly and supported safety efforts. In addition, he confirmed that more test results may arrive soon, so further updates are expected.

Health Advice

Asbestos is a known carcinogen. People usually inhale the fibres when they become airborne. The long-term risk increases with repeated exposure. However, a single short exposure has a very low risk.

Anyone with health concerns can talk to their GP or call Healthline on 0800 611 116

What Consumers Should Do Now

MBIE has listed clear steps for safe handling and disposal. Consumers should:

Stop using the product right away
Keep children away from the sand
Place the sand in a strong container and double-bag it
Label the bag as asbestos-contaminated
Avoid vacuuming or putting the sand in the household rubbish
Contact the local council for safe disposal advice
Ask the retailer for a refund once the sand is secured
Call the MBIE Consumer Line on 0508 426 678 for support

After the sand is secured, people can follow the clean-up guide on the Health NZ website. This helps reduce any chance of accidental exposure.

Guidance for Workplaces

Workplaces must follow stricter procedures. If the sand is sealed, move it to a safe area. If the sand has been used, block off the space and ask everyone to leave. This step prevents fibres from spreading.

Next, a licensed asbestos assessor must inspect the area. No one should return until the assessor confirms that the space is safe. Meanwhile, schools and early learning services must also notify the Ministry of Education.

Clothing worn during exposure must go into asbestos waste. This helps avoid accidental contamination.

A full list of licensed assessors is available on the WorkSafe website.

Kmart’s Response

Kmart has cooperated with MBIE and acted promptly during the recall. More items from other suppliers are now being tested. As a result, authorities expect further updates once testing is complete.

Where to Get More Information

Product Safety New Zealand website
WorkSafe Asbestos Removal Licence Holders Register
Health advice at info. health.nz
MBIE Consumer Helpline: 0508 426 678

The earlier recall notice for EC Rainbow Sand and Creatistics Coloured Sand is also available on the Product Safety New Zealand website. Webfit News will continue to share updates as they become available.

Source:
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Updated Media Release
“Sand Recall Expanded: samples of Kmart Magic Sand products found to contain asbestos”
Released on 15 November 2025 via the MBIE Media Team
Email source: Media MBIE Media@mbie.govt.nz