A Garfield toy included in Hungry Jack’s kids’ meals that contains button batteries has been recalled due to safety concerns.
Consumer Affairs Victoria director Nicole Rich has issued an urgent public warning about the toy, which promotes The Garfield Movie, after it failed to meet button battery standards under Australian consumer law.
“The toy does not meet the mandatory information standard for products containing button batteries and does not contain the required warning information about the dangers of button batteries,” the public warning reads.
‘There is a risk of choking or serious injury if young children gain access to the button batteries and swallow them or place them in their bodies.
“I have decided to issue this public warning because consumers may not be aware that the product contains button batteries.”
The Garfield toy (pictured) that came with the Hungry Jack kids’ meal has been urgently recalled
The toy did not meet the standards for button batteries under the Australian Consumer Law, with the button batteries posing a choking hazard to children
According to the Consumer Affairs Victoria website, button cell batteries can travel down the esophagus (swallowing tube) of children who swallow them in as little as two hours, causing internal burns, severe bleeding or death.
Customers are urged to exercise caution, especially if children have access to the toy, and keep batteries away from children.
Hungry Jack’s website states that customers can return the toys, which the company gave away at its restaurants between May 20 and 30 of this year, at Hungry Jack’s restaurants for replacement toys without a battery or for disposal.
“Alternatively, you can dispose of them safely,” the website says.
For further information, customers can contact Hungry Jack customer service on 1300 852 326 or hja.customerservice@hungryjacks.com.au.
Consumer Affairs Victoria will continue to investigate the matter.
Customers could return the toys, which the company gave away at its restaurants between May 20 and 30 this year, to Hungry Jack’s restaurants for replacement toys without batteries or for disposal
Anyone unsure about the safety of a product can call Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 55 81 81.
Parents or caregivers who suspect that a child has swallowed or inserted a button cell battery can call the Poisons Information Center on 13 11 26 for urgent advice.
If a child is having trouble breathing, call triple-0 immediately.
