Forty products made for babies and young children and sold at international bargain chain Panda Mart are being recalled by the Commerce Commission amid safety concerns.
The products listed on the Commerce Commission’s website include children’s toys, baby rattles, bikes, hot water bottles, sunscreen, and baby walkers.
Seven bikes were identified as non-compliant, including two children’s bikes which did not have rear pedal brakes.
“Businesses must ensure that the products they supply comply with legal requirements and are safe for the intended user – particularly toys for small children where the consequences of unsafe items can be dire,” Commerce Commission deputy chairwoman Anne Callinan said.
During product safety inspections, the Commission said it identified a significant number of products it was concerned did not comply with Product Safety Standards or Unsafe Goods Notices.
“We urge all parents who have these toys, bikes or other products to return them – the dollar value of the products might be small, but the risk of harm to young children is not worth taking,” Callinan said.
“As people hit the shops to pick up last-minute gifts, it’s important to be aware of the rules around product safety and know what to look out for.”
‘Suffocation risk’
Callinan said an initial review of Panda Mart found 20 toys the Commission had concerns were unsafe.
“They’re intended for kids under three and have small parts, don’t seem sturdy enough to take the knocks they’ll get during child play, or could be a suffocation risk,” she said.
“It’s harder for children under three to cough things up and so there’s a higher risk that they could choke if they swallow things on accident. To avoid this risk, toys for small children should be larger than the average size and shape of a child’s throat – anything smaller than a ping pong ball would raise concerns.”
The Commerce Commission said toys should be solid enough to not break into small parts during usual child play, as these smaller parts are choking hazards.
“Babies often put things in their mouth and so there’s a high chance a baby rattle will end up in there as well. Rattles shouldn’t be a size or shape that could get lodged in a baby’s throat and block their airways.”
On the bikes without rear pedal brakes, the Commerce Commission said they can be dangerous as “kids may not have the hand strength or coordination to use handbrakes”.
It added that Panda Mart is working with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), and has issued a product recall for a significant number of products.
“The Commission strongly encourages any consumers who have any of the products identified in the recall notices to return them to Panda Mart for a full refund. The Commission has an ongoing investigation into Panda Mart,” the Commerce Commission said.
“If parents or caregivers are worried a toy doesn’t comply with the relevant Product Safety Standard, they should raise their concern with the seller and inform the Commerce Commission via its website.”
In a statement, a Panda Mart spokesperson told 1News it was “aware of the product recall notices published online”.
“The recall notices were submitted to MBIE directly by PD Mart voluntarily.
“We take these matters seriously and can confirm all affected items have been removed from our stores whilst we work to address the safety concerns reflected in the recall notices.”
