Food, Health and Product Safety Archives - Page 25 of 46

3 May , 2018

Rapid recall: getting unsafe products off the market quickly

The following blog post is reproduced from Consumers International. Product recalls are an important way to remove unsafe products from the marketplace and prevent injury and death. This year the OECD and the International Standards Organisation will be looking at how recalls can be delivered more effectively to ensure consumers are better protected. The right…

28 March , 2018

Inquiry into the Use and Marketing of Electronic Cigarettes and Personal Vaporisers in Australia

The Australian Parliament’s Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee today presented its Report on the Inquiry into the Use and Marketing of Electronic Cigarettes and Personal Vaporisers in Australia. The inquiry considered the possible health impacts of E-cigarette use, international approaches to regulating E-cigarettes and the appropriate regulatory framework for Australia. The Chair of the…

24 March , 2018

ACCC moves to improve quad bike safety

The ACCC has proposed major changes to improve the safety of quad bikes, including the introduction of a safety rating system, crush protection devices and mandatory minimum performance standards. Tragically, quad bike accidents result in an average of 16 deaths in Australia each year. They also result in approximately six people per day attending a…

9 March , 2018

The Reject Shop ordered to pay $155,000 over unsafe projectile toys

National variety goods retailer The Reject Shop Ltd has been penalised $140,000 after admitting that it contravened the product safety provisions of the Australian Consumer Law (Victoria) by selling projectile toys that did not meet the relevant Australian Safety Standard. The Reject Shop operates more than 330 stores across Australia. Consumer Affairs Victoria took action…

2 March , 2018

CHOICE welcomes action on deadly airbags

Consumer group CHOICE says car companies’ ongoing failure to protect the public from unsafe airbags reaffirms the need to tighten Australian Consumer Law. CHOICE has welcomed the compulsory recall of millions of potentially lethal Takata airbags, and is calling on the Federal Government to beef up Australian Consumer Law to make it explicitly clear that…

25 February , 2018

The second-hand market gets a new ISO standard to protect consumers

The second-hand economy is booming with more and more consumers buying used goods. How can we be sure that the second-hand baby crib we buy won’t cause injury or harm? Purchasing used products can bring its share of bad surprises, but a new International Standard helps make sure those hand-me-down treasures are not putting your…

19 February , 2018

Safety concerns for children at trampoline parks

At least 500 children have ended up in hospital emergency departments in Australia between 2012 and 2017 due to injuries at indoor trampoline parks. The number of trampoline parks has soared past 80 in the past six years, but with lawsuits, catastrophic spinal injuries and even deaths overseas clouding the industry’s future, experts are urgently…

14 February , 2018

Potting mix health risks

The following is an excerpt from an article that was originally published on The Conversation. Gardening is generally a healthy and pleasurable hobby or occupation. However, any activity carries some risk – and gardening is no exception. Potting mix is known to carry harmful bacteria and fungi. And there have been reports of deaths from diseases, such…

7 February , 2018

Don’t panic, it’s organic!

Growing numbers of Australian consumers are opting for organic products, and should be able to feel confident that the ingredients are in fact organic. Many products carry a symbol, logo or other trade mark to show that they are certified organic. This certification is currently performed by 7 private bodies that are accredited by the Department…

11 December , 2017

CHOICE calls for improved labelling on alcoholic drinks

Consumer group CHOICE is calling for improved labelling on alcoholic drinks to help people compare their beverage options. “For many people Christmas is a time to enjoy a festive drink but if they want to choose lower kilojoule tipples, right now they can’t easily compare their options” says CHOICE spokesperson, Katinka Day. “While consumers can…

27 October , 2017

Quad Bike Safety Taskforce

The following is a joint media release from the Commonwealth Small Business Minister Michael McCormack and Commonwealth Employment Minister Michaelia Cash. A Taskforce led by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will conduct an investigation into quad bike safety under plans announced today by the Minister for Employment Michaelia Cash and Minister for Small Business…

28 July , 2017

Product Safety Reform and the ACL Review – Blog Post

The following is a blog post by Luke Nottage and Catherine Niven. The original post can be accessed here. In 2008, as consumer confidence in Australia took a big hit from the Global Financial Crisis, the Productivity Commission published a report advising the federal Treasurer to lead a belated “re-harmonisation” of consumer protection law. The State and…