John Lewis Recalls 15 Products Over Asbestos Contamination
John Lewis has issued an urgent recall for 15 novelty doorstops and draught excluders after discovering that the marble chips inside may be contaminated with small quantities of asbestos. The retailer, which has stores in Birmingham and Solihull, warned shoppers to stop using the products immediately.
Full List of Recalled Items
The recalled items include 12 doorstops: Duck, Elephant, Frog, Patterned Navy, Pig, Sausage Dog, Fusion, Snowman, Gingerbread, Grey Stripe, Felt, and Llama. Additionally, three draft excluders—Navy, Grey, and Stripe—are also affected. All items were sold between January 31, 2021, and June 11, 2026.
Health Risks and Official Warning
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) stated: "The products present a risk to health as the marble chips sealed within the doorstops and excluders may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos." Asbestos is a banned substance because it poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure. The products do not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
What Shoppers Should Do
The OPSS advised: "Stop using the product immediately. If the product is undamaged, place in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double tape it securely, label it clearly and store in a secure location out of the reach of children. If the product is damaged and the filling is accessible, clean-up sites where the product was used using wet cloths to avoid generating dust. Wear gloves and a mask. Double bag the filling and product gloves, mask and cloths. Keep children and other people away from areas where the filling has been spilled until the area has been cleaned. Return the product to your nearest John Lewis store for a full refund. You do not need to provide the receipt. If you are unable to return the product to your nearest John Lewis store, follow the steps above and contact your local authority for guidance on safe disposal of asbestos in your area."
Impact on Customers
Customers who purchased these items over the five-and-a-half-year period are urged to check their homes and follow the recall instructions. John Lewis has not disclosed how many units were sold, but the recall affects all batches sold during that timeframe.
