A Garfield toy included in Hungry Jack children’s meals that contains button batteries has been recalled for safety reasons.
Victoria’s Chief Consumer Affairs Officer Nicole Rich issued an urgent public warning about the toy, which promotes The Movie Garfield, 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 include the required warning information about the dangers of button batteries,” the public notice reads.
‘There is a risk of suffocation or serious injury if small children access button batteries and swallow them or put them in their bodies.
“I have decided to issue this public warning because consumers may not be aware that the product contains button batteries.”
Garfield toy (pictured) included in Hungry Jack’s children’s meal has been urgently recalled
The toy did not meet button battery standards under Australian Consumer Law, and button batteries pose a choking hazard to children.
According to the Consumer Affairs Victoria website, button batteries can burn through 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 use caution, especially when children have access to the toy, and to keep batteries out of the reach of children.
On its website, Hungry Jack’s said customers could return the toys, which it gave away at its restaurants between May 20 and 30 of this year, to Hungry Jack’s restaurants for a battery-free replacement toy or to throw them away. .
“Alternatively, please dispose of them safely,” the website said.
For more information, customers can contact the Hungry Jack customer service line 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 they gave away at their restaurants between May 20 and 30 of this year, to Hungry Jack’s restaurants to receive a battery-free replacement toy or for disposal.
Anyone unsure about the safety of a product can call Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 55 81 81.
Parents or carers who suspect that a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery should call the Poison Information Center on 13 11 26 for urgent advice.
If a child has difficulty breathing, call triple-0 immediately.
