WILLEMSTAD – Fundashon pa Konsumidó is warning consumers in Curaçao to be cautious when purchasing or using toy sand products after asbestos was discovered in several play sand items that were recently recalled in the Netherlands.
The warning follows a Dutch recall involving various toy sand products sold through retail chains including Top1Toys and Marskramer. Among the products affected is the “Creafun Sand Painting Farm” set, which was removed from store shelves after testing detected asbestos particles.
Investigation Reveals Contamination
According to the consumer organization, the alert is based on an investigation by the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad and subsequent research conducted by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
Initial testing of twelve toy sand products found asbestos in six of the sets examined.
The NVWA later expanded the investigation to 99 toy sand products. The agency reported that 65 products contained no asbestos, while 29 contained traces below the legal limit. However, five products were found to contain higher concentrations ranging from 0.15 percent to 0.42 percent.
Precautionary Measures Recommended
Fundashon pa Konsumidó said Dutch authorities and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) are currently studying whether the asbestos found in the toy sand poses a direct health risk to children.
Until those findings become available, the organization is advising parents and caregivers to exercise caution when allowing children to play with toy sand products.
The foundation stressed that consumers should not automatically assume all toys on the market are safe and encouraged parents to remain alert for potentially harmful substances or components that could affect children's health.
Parents Urged to Check Products
While no cases involving the affected products have been reported in Curaçao, Fundashon pa Konsumidó is encouraging consumers to check toy sand products already in their homes and stay informed about international product recalls.
The organization said it will continue monitoring developments and provide updates as more information becomes available from Dutch health and safety authorities.
The warning comes amid growing awareness worldwide about product safety and the importance of ensuring that children's toys meet strict health and safety standards.