Shoppers looking for bargains at Panda Mart are again being warned about dangerous items being sold at the retailer’s Cranbourne and Preston stores.
Recent Consumer Affairs Victoria inspections have uncovered more unsafe products, including flammable candle holders that are banned in Australia because they can cause serious burns or fires.
Other items found included keychains with button batteries, which can kill or seriously injure a child if swallowed, and a range of portable pools and floatation devices that did not include mandatory warning labels – these pose risks of drowning and brain injury if misused.
Panda Mart has been the subject of repeated product safety warnings and legal action over the last year, after we allege it has failed to ensure that its products are safe and properly labelled.
Consumer Affairs Victoria obtained an urgent injunction in December, closing both stores for three days, and charged Panda Mart with 147 criminal offences in January, following the previous seizure of products from its Cranbourne store.
Director Nicole Rich said Consumer Affairs Victoria would continue to protect the community by pursuing Panda Mart until it met its legal obligations.
‘Under the Australian Consumer Law, retailers are responsible for the items on their shelves,’ Rich said.
‘It is extremely concerning to find new products flouting product safety laws on the shelves of Panda Mart, so soon after our previous action to shut down the stores to remove dangerous goods from sale to the public.’
‘We’ve issued this urgent warning to urge any customers who have bought these products to stop using them and store them securely out of reach of children.
‘Consumer Affairs Victoria has a range of legal options to use against retailers who don’t comply with their obligations. This matter remains under investigation. We will take further action where needed to protect the community from businesses selling products that pose a danger.’
A full list of items is available on the Public Warning Notice. If you’ve bought one, you can take it back to the Panda Mart store you bought it from for a full refund.
If you’ve seen a product that you think is unsafe on the shelves of any retail store, you can report it to Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Consumer Affairs Victoria sits within the Department of Government Services.
Read our full public warning: