Victorian consumer affairs officials say they have seized thousands of items from Panda Mart and are at various risks.
Consumer Issues Victoria has attacked Panda Mart, a newly opened discount megastore in Cranborne.
The store, which sells 28,000 low-cost items, including household goods, sports goods and beauty products, mainly imported from China, was extremely popular as it encouraged police to enter the store on March 3 to take control of a large number of shoppers.
By the end of the first weekend, the shelves were bare and stock was scattered across the floor.
“Thousands of products seized by consumer issues last night are not currently complying with product mandatory information or safety standards,” Nicole Rich, director of consumer affairs, said in a statement on March 5th.
“Such items include bicycle helmets, archery sets, luggage straps, toy guns, children’s make-up sets, birthday cards, sparkling balls, calculators and flashing toys provided by Panda Mart.”
Fatal button battery risk
Items that are off-shelves include toys and baby rattles that contain inadequately fixed or labeled button batteries.
“Button batteries pose extreme risks. They burn the esophagus (swallowing tubes) of children who consume them in just two hours, which can cause internal burns, severe bleeding or death,” Rich said.
Related Stories
Other products photographed by inspectors include dangerous projectiles, risk of strangulation, and unregulated cosmetics that cannot meet required safety standards.
Authorities crack down on
Consumer issues say they are working with businesses to remove remaining dangerous goods.
However, under Australia’s consumer law, businesses can face up to $50 million fines and individuals up to $2.5 million.
Department director Nicole Rich said the company has an obligation to ensure that items sold do not pose a risk to the public.
“We know that many Victorians are looking for bargains when shopping with cost-of-living considerations, but you don’t have to worry about picking up dangerous products at the same time, especially for babies and children,” she said.
“We responded quickly, took action, removed these products from the shelves, but it’s up to the company to understand the law and not stock the law in the first place.
“Given the serious risks posed by button batteries and violations of safety standards, it encourages consumers to be aware of purchasing items from Panda Mart.”
Consumers who have already purchased such items can return those items to Panda Mart for a full refund.
Similar issues bothers Temu
When it first opened, many consumers called Panda Mart the “in-store version of Temu.” It is a controversial Chinese e-commerce platform known for selling inexpensive and often insecure products.
These included a camera projector, a children’s watch, a spinning top, an LED tea light, and a light-up tutorial.
In particular, the committee is concerned about the safety of many children’s toys, children’s bikes and baby walkers.
Due to safety violations, authorities are urging customers to check product labels, follow recall notices and report unsafe items.
Parents or caregivers suspecting that their child has swallowed the button battery should immediately call the poison information center on 13 11 26. If the child is having trouble breathing, call 000.
