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Mum shocked after asbestos recall for son's toys

Sarah PingSouth of England
News imageIsabella A selfie of a mother and her young sonIsabella
Isabella said her son, Charlie, built a collection of 11 Stretcherz toys before they were recalled

A Bournemouth mother has said it was "shocking and upsetting" when her four-year-old's favourite toys were recalled over asbestos concerns.

Isabella said her son, Charlie, built a collection of 11 Stretcherz toys before she discovered some products contained "trace levels" of the carcinogenic substance.

The small toys, which stretch to three times their size, were stripped from supermarket shelves this week, with manufacturer HTI urging customers to immediately stop using the product.

Asda and The Works, where Isabella bought the toys, both apologised "for any inconvenience caused".

HTI has confirmed some, but not all, of the products contained small levels of the harmful chemical.

News imageIsabella A collection of small figurines of monsters, dinosaurs and animals laid out on a black plastic bin bagIsabella
Isabella's son, Charlie, had built up a collection of 11 Stretcherz toys

Isabella said no parent should be put in a "position where something we're giving to our children to play with carries such a hazardous risk".

"I don't understand how this could have happened," the 33-year-old said.

"I would like to know what steps are being taken to ensure asbestos is never used in the manufacturing of children's toys again, which is a sentence I cannot believe I'm even having to say.

"I feel angry as well, that I brought something as a treat for my child, and now realise that he could have been exposed to asbestos, which is known to be so harmful."

News imageIsabella A plastic black bag wrapped in Sellotape with yellow, Marigold glovesIsabella
Isabella Gamble said she wore a mask and gloves to handle the toys and remove them from her home

Asda said there have been no reports of harm, but has advised customers to stop using the products.

A supermarket spokesperson said: "If you have purchased the Stretcherz products listed, please return the item to the store where it was purchased for a full refund.

"We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused."

The Works said it only stocked two Stretcherz products that were identified as containing traces of asbestos, and has since remove them from its shops.

"We are one of a number of retailers who stock these products from HTI and have taken this precautionary decision in line with our commitment to the highest standards of safety and quality," a spokesperson said.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

HTI was contacted for a further comment.

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