Lincoln mum raises concerns after toy recall over possible asbestos traces

A Lincoln mother has described her concern after a toy her young child had used was later included in a product recall. Charli Aitken, from Lincoln, said the incident happened in early February when her three-year-old son was playing with a Let's Dig Out Dinosaur Eggs toy and swallowed some of the sand-like material inside. Ms Aitken said she found the experience alarming, particularly because the product was intended for children. She said she sought advice at the time and understood that the immediate concern was whether the contents were toxic. She said she later spoke to Smyths Toys and came away with the understanding that the material was plaster of Paris and was not considered dangerous. Weeks later, Ms Aitken said she received an email containing a recall notice for the product. According to her, the notice said material inside some products may contain trace levels of asbestos and advised customers to stop using the item and keep it away from children. Ms Aitken said the recall left her upset and confused because her child had already swallowed some of the material before the warning was issued. Statements attributed to Smyths Toys said testing on product 166403, the Let's Dig Out Dinosaur Figures Eggs 10 Pack Set, identified trace levels of asbestos and that the item was being recalled as a precaution. The same statements said the health risk was considered low and that the European Commission and the Office for Product Safety and Standards in the UK were reviewing sand toy products and guidance. The Lincoln Post has not independently verified these claims. The account centres on Ms Aitken's experience and her reaction to the recall information she said she later received. Her child is not identified. Product recalls can be particularly concerning for parents when an item has already been opened and used before any warning is seen. In this case, Ms Aitken's concern relates both to what her son swallowed at the time and to the later information she said was contained in the recall notice. Readers concerned about a similar item should refer to the official recall information issued for the product and follow the safety instructions provided there, including any advice to stop use and keep the product away from children. This report concerns a Lincoln family and a children's product recall that may be relevant to other households in Lincoln and Lincolnshire. It is based on claims made by Ms Aitken and on statements attributed to Smyths Toys about the product recall and reported testing results. The Lincoln Post has not independently verified these claims.