If you purchased games at one of Action’s stores, be careful. There is an official recall that has been issued for a very serious matter: traces of asbestos, one of the most dangerous and carcinogenic substances known, have been found in the internal padding of some popular extendable characters.
Full details of the recalled toys
The products involved are two variants of the HTI brand extendable characters, much appreciated by children precisely because of their ability to stretch and deform during play. These are:
The toys were on sale in Action stores from April 22, 2024 until February 13, 2026, a rather long period that suggests they were used by many children for months, if not years, before the recall.
The risks
The presence of asbestos — even in trace amounts — in a product intended for children is a very serious matter. Asbestos is in fact classified as a proven carcinogen for humans, exposure to its fibres, if inhaled, can cause serious lung diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer, even many years after contact.
The real risk arises when the toy is damaged or broken – which is far from unlikely, given that these are objects designed to be stretched, crushed and deformed. At that time, the contaminated batting may leak out and disperse the fibers into the air. An unacceptable risk, especially for the little ones.
How to understand if your product is among those recalled
To check if the toy you own is part of the recalled lot, check the EAN code on the packaging. The codes involved are the following:
What to do if you own Stretch Squads
Anyone who has one of the recalled games at home must stop using it immediately. It is important to keep it out of the reach of children and not open or damage the product further to avoid dispersion.
As soon as possible, it should be returned to the nearest Action store where the entire purchase price will be refunded, even without a receipt.
For further information you can contact the HTI manufacturer directly through the Vulcan Consulting representative, based in Dublin, Ireland. Telephone: +44 (0)1253 775 645 — Website: www.htigroup.co.uk/sandenquiry
Asbestos in toys
Stretch Squad’s is not the first episode of this type. In recent years there have been several cases of toys – often made of gelatinous or powdery materials from outside the EU – found to be contaminated with dangerous substances, including asbestos, lead and phthalates.
One more reason to always check the origin of the products purchased for children, pay attention to the CE marks and European safety certifications, and promptly report any anomaly found to the competent authorities.
