Asbestos found in children's toys, company issues recall

A recall has been issued for several children's toys after asbestos was detected during independent laboratory testing.

Naturally occurring Chrysotile and Tremolite asbestos was found in some samples of a range of Planet Fun brand Funkee Animals and Secret Menu Stretchee Foodz toys, Product Safety New Zealand said. Exposure would only occur if the product was torn.

The affected products include the Funkee Monkee Mega PDQ (Barcode: 622222419295), Funkee Animalz Puppies Mega PDQ (Barcode: 622222422288) , Funkee Animalz Axolotl Mega PDQ (Barcode: 622222174590), Funkee Pig Jumbo (Barcode: 622222170899), Funkee Monkee Jumbo (Barcode: 622222168452), and Secret Menu Stretchee Foodz Asst PDQ (Barcode: 622222168155).

The toys were sold at The Warehouse and Farmers from January 2025 to April 2026, and Toyworld and Paper Plus from February 2025 to April 2026.

Planet Fun has advised those who own these products to stop using them immediately, to place them in a double ziplock bag, and to not dispose of the product in the general waste.

"Return it to the store you purchased it from for a refund. This may require proof of purchase."

Previously, Health New Zealand had issued advice on asbestos after it was detected in a wide range of children's sand products.

"Exposure to asbestos does not cause any immediate health problems. The health conditions linked to asbestos develop over a long period – typically many years," it said.

"The health conditions linked to asbestos develop over a long period – typically 15 to 40 years.

"The risk of developing asbestos-related health conditions, such as some types of cancer and lung disease, is linked to the nature and quantity of asbestos and the length of time a person was exposed to it."

However, Health NZ added there was no safe level of asbestos "and therefore we try to avoid all exposure".

"For most people who have these products at home, the quantities involved will be small. That is very different to the greater risk for people who might be exposed during construction work or through the mining industry."