Asos Withdraws Belts Over Radioactive Metal Studs

A line of metal-studded belts sold by Asos have been withdrawn from sale after they were found to be radioactive.

The online retailer was forced to pull a batch of the peplum leather belts, which have a ruffle attached, after one of them was seized by US border control and tested positive for cobalt-60.

According to an internal report by Asos, obtained by the Guardian, the accessory could cause injury if worn for more than 500 hours.

"None of these belts are suitable for public use or possession," the report, called Project Purple Flower, said.

It added: "Unfortunately, this incident is quite a common occurrence. India and the Far East are large consumers of scrap metal for their home and foreign markets."

Although the company issued a worldwide recall of the items, it is not known how many of the 49 products sold across 14 countries have been returned.

"A product supplied to Asos did not meet UK health and safety standards," an Asos spokesman said.

"Asos worked with all relevant authorities and undertook a precautionary product recall, in line with our high standards of quality and customer care. No other Asos product lines are affected.

"Asos continues to work with the relevant regulatory authorities and is in dialogue with the supplier and the factory workers involved to ensure a satisfactory outcome."

Haq International, the Indian firm that allegedly supplied 641 radioactive belts, is now said to be embroiled in a bitter feud with the retailer.

Asos is demanding £100,000 from the supplier in recall charges and has withheld £64,000 owed to Haq.

The company's boss, Faizan Haq, has reportedly also been refused permission to inspect the belts after Asos told him counter-terrorism groups believe he is a security risk, The Guardian reports.

However an Asos spokesman denied the claims, insisting that Haq had been restricted from inspecting the belts due to 'standard regulatory procedure' on the part of US authorities.