The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a major product recall for the MIKI Sand Art Set due to contamination with asbestos fibres. This marks another addition to a growing list of coloured sand products pulled from shelves over health fears.
Details of the Recall
Manufactured by Sax International Pty Ltd, the MIKI Sand Art Set contains 12 coloured sands and bears the model codes 8369 and 8445. The recall was initiated after laboratory testing confirmed the presence of dangerous mineral fibres. The ACCC stated that initial testing found unidentified mineral fibres consistent with tremolite, a type of naturally occurring asbestos.
The contaminated product was sold both across Australia and internationally over a significant period, from July 24, 2023, until November 20, 2025. Authorities are urging anyone in possession of this set to cease using it immediately.
Wider Implications and School Closures
This incident is part of a larger scare involving tremolite asbestos in various coloured sand products available in the Australian market. Other recalled items include Kadink Sand, Educational Colours Active Sandtub, and Blue/Green/Pink Magic Sand sold at major retailers Kmart and Target.
The discovery prompted significant disruption, leading to the temporary closure of schools and childcare centres nationwide. In Tasmania, Education Minister Jo Palmer confirmed that specialist cleaning was undertaken at affected schools over a weekend. She announced that "expert advisors" had deemed the schools safe to reopen the following Tuesday.
"It is reassuring that all air monitoring conducted has confirmed it is safe for schools to resume normal operations," Palmer said, adding that testing of physical sand samples from Tasmanian government schools did not indicate the presence of asbestos.
Ongoing Response and Public Assurance
The scale of the issue is substantial, with about 500 schools and childcare centres in South Australia alone reporting use of the now-recalled sand products. Safety alerts have been broadcast across nearly every state and territory, directed at schools, consumers, and service providers.
Despite the serious nature of the contamination, parents have been assured that the risk from these products is considered low. Additional cleaning measures are expected to continue in the coming week as a precaution.
The ACCC has provided specific steps for the safe disposal of the MIKI Sand Art Set, and consumers are strongly advised to follow these guidelines to mitigate any potential health risks.
