Primark has withdrawn two Halloween decorations from sale after the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) issued an urgent alert about potential asbestos contamination. The affected items, the Witch Mini and Pumpkin gonks, contain sand that may include a small amount of asbestos, a banned substance linked to serious health risks even at low exposure levels.
Urgent recall and consumer advice
An OPSS spokesman said: "The products have been withdrawn from the market and recalled from end users by Primark. We recommend owners stop using the product immediately and keep out the reach of children." The gonks do not comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
The recalled models are 991174794 (Witch Mini) and 991179148 (Pumpkin), with barcodes 212047125 and 212080261. Shoppers are advised to wear gloves and a mask when disposing of the products.
Health risks of asbestos exposure
Asbestos exposure can lead to life-threatening conditions such as asbestosis, which causes breathing difficulties and can enlarge the heart. Asbestos-related diseases are believed to cause around 5,000 deaths each year in the UK.
Return and disposal instructions
Customers are told to stop using the products immediately and return them to any Primark store for a full refund. No proof of purchase is required. If the product is undamaged, it should be placed in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double taped, clearly labelled, and stored safely out of reach of children until it can be returned.
If the decoration is damaged and the sand filling is exposed, the surface where it was kept should be cleaned with a wet cloth to prevent dust. Shoppers are then advised to wear gloves and a mask, and place the product, gloves, mask, and cloth in a double bag. The area should be avoided until it has been cleaned.
If returning the product to a Primark store is not possible, customers should follow the above disposal steps and then contact their local authority for advice on safe disposal. More information is available from Primark or on the GOV.UK page about asbestos in consumer products.
