Discount Megastore Seizes Thousands of Unsafe Chinese-Made Products
Victorian Consumer Affairs officers have seized thousands of items from Panda Mart, stating that they presented a variety of dangers.
Consumer Affairs Victoria has conducted a raid on Panda Mart, which is a newly opened discount megastore in Cranbourne. The raid was due to serious product safety violations, particularly concerning toys and household items that pose risks of choking, strangulation, or fire.
The store, which offers 28,000 low-cost items like homewares, sporting goods, and beauty products, mostly imported from China, opened on Feb. 27. The store was so popular that police had to be called on March 3 to manage the large crowds of shoppers pushing past staff to enter the store.
By the end of its first weekend, the shelves were empty, and the stock was scattered on the floor.
Nicole Rich, the director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, stated in a March 5 press release, “Thousands of goods seized by Consumer Affairs Victoria last night and today do not comply with mandatory information or safety standards for products. These goods include bike helmets, archery sets, luggage straps, toy guns, children’s makeup sets, birthday cards, glitter balls, calculators, and flashing toys supplied by Panda Mart.”
Deadly Button Battery Hazards
The confiscated items include toys and baby rattles containing button batteries that were not adequately secured or labeled.
According to Rich, “Button batteries pose an extreme risk—they can burn through the esophagus (swallowing tube) of children who ingest them in just two hours, causing internal burns, severe bleeding, or death.”
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Other products seized by inspectors include dangerous projectiles, strangulation hazards, and unregulated cosmetics that do not meet the required safety standards.
Authorities Crack Down
Consumer Affairs is collaborating with the business to eliminate any remaining hazardous goods.
However, businesses can face fines of up to $50 million, and individuals up to $2.5 million, under Australian consumer law for supplying products that do not meet mandatory safety standards.
Nicole Rich, the department’s director, emphasized that businesses have a responsibility to ensure that the items they sell do not endanger the public.
“While we understand that many Victorians are looking for bargains, they should not have to worry about purchasing unsafe products, especially those intended for babies and kids,” she said.
“We are acting swiftly to take action and remove these products from the shelves, but it is the responsibility of businesses to understand the law and avoid stocking them in the first place.
“Given the significant risks associated with button batteries and non-compliance with safety standards, I urge consumers to exercise caution when purchasing goods from Panda Mart.”
Customers who have already bought such items can return them to Panda Mart for a full refund.
Similar Issues Plague Temu
Upon its opening, many customers compared Panda Mart to Temu, the controversial Chinese e-commerce platform known for selling inexpensive but often unsafe products.
These products included camera projectors, children’s watches, spinning tops, LED tea lights, and light-up tutus.
The Commission is particularly concerned about the safety of several children’s toys, children’s bicycles, and baby walkers.
As safety violations accumulate, authorities are urging customers to check product labels, follow recall notices, and report any unsafe products.
If a parent or caregiver suspects that their child has swallowed a button battery, they should immediately contact the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26. If the child is having difficulty breathing, call 000.
