Fast food franchise Hungry Jack’s has paid a total of $150,240 in penalties for allegedly breaching the Australian Consumer Law.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued Hungry Jack’s eight infringement notices after it supplied 27,850 Garfield toys containing button batteries with children’s meals nationwide between May 20 and May 30, 2024.
Hungry Jack’s failed to include mandatory warnings and safety information required under the button battery information standard, the ACCC said.
While the Garfield toys met the safety standards for button batteries, Hungry Jack’s did not inform consumers that the toys contained button batteries or highlight the dangers these pose, particularly to young children.
According to ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe, button batteries are extremely dangerous for children and have caused severe injury or death within hours when swallowed.
“The ACCC continues to see non-compliant products on the market which pose unacceptable safety risks to vulnerable young children. We take non-compliance with these important standards seriously and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where appropriate,” Lowe added.
Hungry Jack’s has provided a court-enforceable undertaking, admitting their toy’s failure to comply with the button battery information standard, and has also committed to implement a compliance program to prevent future breaches.
The Garfield toy has been recalled, and consumers can return it for a non-battery replacement.
The ACCC urges businesses supplying button battery products to comply with the mandatory safety and information standards, which contain child-resistant packaging, secure battery compartments, and warnings with emergency advice on packaging and instructions.
Consumers are also encouraged to regularly check their homes for unsafe button battery products, call emergency numbers, and report any incidents via the ACCC’s Product Safety website.
The ACCC noted that three children have died in Australia and several are injured each month due to button battery incidents.