Action, a rapidly expanding non-food retailer in Italy with 213 stores currently operating, is facing scrutiny following the discovery of asbestos in some of its products. The company opened its first store in Italy on April 22, 2021, and has since grown at a remarkable pace.
Recent concerns center around a recall of certain batches of Stretch Squad toys, where asbestos – a known human carcinogen – was detected in the stuffing. This discovery raises public health concerns, as exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to serious illnesses, even years after contact.
Here’s what you need to know about the affected toys and how to identify them.
Which Toys Have Been Recalled
The affected products are two stretchable toys manufactured by HTI: the Stretch Squad – Action item number: 3209338 and the Stretch Squad Characters – 4-piece set – Action item number: 3202066. These toys were available for purchase between April 22, 2024, and February 13, 2026, when the company initiated the recall from stores.
The nearly two-year period the toys were on the market has prompted significant alarm among Action customers.
Why Asbestos Poses a Serious Risk to Children
The dangers of asbestos exposure are well-established. The substance is classified as a “confirmed carcinogen” for humans, and inhaling its fibers can cause devastating diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, potentially decades after exposure. The risk is particularly concerning for children.
Because these toys are designed to be stretched and manipulated, there is a high probability they could break, releasing fibers into the air from the stuffing. This increases the potential for inhalation, and exposure.
How to Determine if a Toy is Affected
To check if you have one of the recalled toys, locate the EAN code on the packaging. The contaminated batches have EAN codes ranging from 5014761014713 to 5050837662419.
If you uncover a toy with one of these codes, immediately remove it from children’s reach and return it to the nearest Action store for a full refund, regardless of whether you have a receipt.
This Isn’t the First Time Asbestos Has Been Found in Toys
Unfortunately, What we have is not an isolated incident. In recent years, numerous toy lots, particularly those made with dusty or gelatinous materials from countries outside the European Union, have been recalled due to the presence of hazardous substances like lead, phthalates, and asbestos.
The case of the Stretch Squad toys sold by Action is noteworthy because the toys initially passed safety tests according to the EN71 standard. The recall was initiated as a precautionary measure once the possibility of contamination emerged. Action and HTI are currently conducting further laboratory research to assess the extent of the problem and identify any other potential hazards in their products.
