Several products have been recalled by authorities in the last week after major issues were discovered. Regulators and retailers regularly assess items that are available for sale across the country and sometimes they have to be taken off shelves immediately.
This is to protect consumers from injuring themselves while using the item, with some capable of causing death in certain circumstances. Regulators have urged customers to return the products and they’re usually entitled to a refund or exchange.
Here’s a look at the items that have been recalled since last week’s update.
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Woolworths children’s toy
Late last week, Woolworths issued a recall of a children’s toy over fears they contained asbestos.
The HTI Toys Stretcherz Stretch Squad 4 pack was removed on January 9, after being available for sale from September to mid-December last year.
The supermarket said the recalled products included eight different designs.
The Stretcherz toys contain sand and are designed to stretch to over three times their original size.
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The toy was removed from shelves in the last few days and customers have been urged to stop using it immediately. Picture: Woolworths
“The products are being recalled because the sand inside the figures may contain asbestos, which is a prohibited substance in Australia,” Woolworths said.
“The sand inside the figures may cause a risk to health if the product is damaged and the sand is released as tremolite asbestos has been detected in some samples after laboratory testing.”
The supermarket urged customers to “stop using the products immediately” and call them for a full refund.
It also urged people to dispose of the item safely.
You can contact Woolies on 1300 767 969, and the phone line is open from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday AEDT, and 10am to 4pm on weekends.
Beer with ‘excessive alcohol’
The food safety authority has updated Australian consumers on a recall of a popular beer sold at Costco. The 5 litre keg of Loophole Brewing Co’s Quick Hare Pacific Ale was pulled from shelves over concerns about potentially dangerous high alcohol content.
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) said the product had undergone a process called “secondary fermentation”, which could cause “illness or injury if consumed”. The beer had been available in Costco stores in New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, and WA.
Following the recall last week, FSANZ revealed on Friday the packed and best before date markings Australian consumers should be looking out for.
The 5 litre keg of beer was available at four states or territories in Australia. Picture: Facebook/Costco
All date markings up to and including ‘Pkd 03/12/25 BB 03/12/26’ have been impacted and Costco customers should follow safety advice.
“Consumers should not drink or open this product and should dispose of it safely,” it said.
The item could be picked up from the wholesale supermarket chain for just $39.99.
Secondary fermentation is when residual yeast continues to ferment leftover sugars inside the can, bottle, or keg after it has been sealed.
This additional fermentation can produce more carbon dioxide and alcohol than intended and can turn it into an unstable product.
If there is more carbon dioxide, this can create extra pressure and cause the container to bulge, leak or explode.
If there is more alcohol, then it could have a much higher ABV than what is on the can, bottle or keg and could breach food and alcohol regulations.
Find out more information here.
Hand sanitiser that is ‘highly toxic’
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced on Thursday that a hand sanitiser was being recalled as it contained methanol, which is “highly toxic” if ingested.
The 60ml bottle of Dr Schwartz Hand Sanitiser was given to guests as a complimentary item at the Paradise Resort on the Gold Coast.
This started at the end of August 2020 but was stopped on January 6 this year.
“If ingested the product can cause serious and irreversible injuries or death,” the ACCC said.
Consumers have been urged to immediately stop using the hand sanitiser if they still have it.
This hand sanitiser has been recalled because it contains methanol, which is highly toxic if ingested. Picture: ACCC
Blinds remote that could cause death in worst-case scenario
ABC Blinds and Awnings recalled one of its products this week to protect customers and their children from a horrible fate.
The single channel remote control for window blinds contained a button battery, but one specific batch didn’t comply with the mandatory standards for that type of battery.
“The battery isn’t secured, and children could access the button battery,” the ACCC said.
“Children are at risk of choking, severe internal burn injuries or death if they swallow or place button/coin batteries inside their bodies.
“Serious injury can occur in as little as two hours and the results can be fatal.”
The regulator said only remotes with no screw securing the battery compartment are affected by the recall and the model number, which is found on the back of the remote, is DD1800H.
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