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Victoria Retailers Busted Selling Dangerous Toys
8 Dec
Summary
- Over a thousand unsafe items seized ahead of Christmas sales.
- Toys with button batteries pose a significant risk to children.
- Retailers face hefty fines and potential court action for breaches.
Consumer Affairs Victoria has removed more than a thousand dangerous items from shelves in Victoria as part of proactive inspections before the busy Christmas season. The watchdog's sweep uncovered a variety of unsafe products, ranging from clothing and cosmetics to toys posing serious risks.
Toys containing button batteries were flagged as a primary concern due to their potential to be swallowed by young children. Additionally, cosmetics were seized for lacking required ingredient lists, violating labeling standards. These actions underscore the importance of retailer responsibility in ensuring product safety.
Executive Director Nicole Rich emphasized that non-compliance is unacceptable, especially concerning button batteries, which are known to be lethal. Retailers found with unsafe items can face immediate fines of $5,000, with more severe or repeated offenses potentially leading to court action and penalties reaching up to $2.5 million for individuals and $50 million for companies.
