Woolworths knowingly sold hazardous products, ACCC alleges

By Esther Han
Updated September 17 2014 - 1:08pm, first published 1:06pm

Woolworths has been lying about the safety of its branded goods, including steel deep fryers, matches and chairs, and failing to lodge reports to authorities once it became aware of hazards, the consumer watchdog alleged in the Federal Court on Wednesday.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said Woolworths made false or misleading representations about the safety of its home brand products, including the Abode 3L Stainless Steel Deep Fryer, Woolworths Select Drain Cleaner 1L and Homebrand Safety Matches (10 boxes per pack).

These products were sold at Woolworths-owned retail outlets including Big W, Safeway, Food4Less and Flemings. 

The ACCC alleges that Woolworths' decision to continue selling the products deceived shoppers into thinking the products were safe when they were not.

It added that by continuing to sell the products once it was aware of product dangers, Woolworths continued to make false or misleading representations that these products were safe.

"Consumers are entitled to expect that the goods that they purchase from retailers are safe, and that retailers will act swiftly when product defects are subsequently identified, to avoid further potential harm to consumers," ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.

Woolworths is accused of making false representations about the weight capacity of the Woolworths Home Collection Padded Flop Chair and Masters Home Improvement Folding Stepping Stool, as these products did not withstand the maximum weight load stated on their packaging.

The ACCC is seeking pecuniary penalties, declarations, injunctions, findings of fact, publicity orders, an order that Woolworths implement a product safety compliance program, an order that Woolworths publish information to raise consumer awareness about product safety and how to report safety incidents, and costs.

In an earlier court case this year, the watchdog trumped Australia's biggest supermarket chain over its fuel discount scheme. The court found Woolworths breached undertakings that limited it to a standard discount of 4 cents per litre off petrol.

Woolworths has been contacted for comment.

More to come.

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