Penneys Mini Gonk Recalled Over Possible Asbestos in Sand

Primark Limited (t/a Penneys) is recalling a Primark HW Mini Gonk because the sand inside the product may contain asbestos. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has advised anyone who has the product at home to stop using it immediately.

The recall covers type/model number 991174794, Kimball no. 3260901 and serial number 212047126. The product was sold in Primark stores in Ireland between July and August 2026.

Asbestos is a banned substance across the EU because it poses a risk to health. HSE Public Health advice is that there is low risk to human health from these sand products, based on current information.

The CCPC advises consumers to place the product in a heavy-duty plastic bag, seal it securely, label it clearly and store it in a secure location out of reach of children.

If the product has been punctured and the sand inside is accessible, the CCPC says to clean the sites where it was used with wet cloths to avoid generating dust. Gloves and a protective FFP2 face mask or equivalent should be worn, and a vacuum cleaner should not be used. The sand, gloves, mask and cloths should be double bagged, sealed securely, labelled clearly and stored in a secure location out of reach of children.

Before disposal, consumers should contact Primark to request a refund. Customers can email Primark at help.ie@help.primark.com. A list of civic amenity sites available for disposing of products believed to be affected is available on the CCPC website.

The CCPC continues to engage with the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), as required. Further updates will be provided as soon as additional information becomes available.