Published Wednesday, 30 July, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Childrens 'Ball Popper' Toy Recall
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine has warned Queensland parents about a children’s toy which has been recalled after fair trading officers raised safety concerns.
“The recalled ‘ball popper’ is one half of a 'pop and catch' set and consists of a red basket catcher, a blue popping section and white ping pong type ball,” Mr Shine said.
It was recalled nationally earlier this month.
"Parents should ensure their children are not playing with the toy and dispose of it immediately.
“Under the Fair Trading Act, traders are required to ensure the products they sell meet mandatory safety standards.”
Mr Shine said Fair Trading product safety inspectors detected the ‘ball popper’ projectile toy at the Toowoomba show in April, marketed then as a ‘PopNcatch’ toy.
“Testing revealed that the toy failed mandatory safety requirements for projectile toys because it was able to fire objects at such a force that it posed as a serious eye injury hazard.
“The safety requirements are intended to reduce the risk of eye injuries.
“The toy was removed from sale at the show immediately, and product safety officers contacted the importer to ensure it was removed from supply nationally.”
Mr Shine said the Office of Fair Trading was notified on 9th July by a toy industry member that the same type of projectile toy was being sold with the ‘Dmag’ children’s magazine in supermarkets and news agencies throughout Australia.
“Fair Trading officers contacted Dmag magazine and advised them that the toy failed the mandatory requirements in Queensland for a projectile toy, as it was capable of firing an object, posing a serious risk of eye injury to children,” he said.
“The Office of Fair Trading advised the publishers of Dmag magazine to remove the product from supply and undertake a product safety recall.
“The company has cooperated completely with the Office of Fair Trading, and has undertaken to ensure all toys given away with the magazine comply with relevant mandatory toy standards.”
For information about product safety standards visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04.
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273.
“The recalled ‘ball popper’ is one half of a 'pop and catch' set and consists of a red basket catcher, a blue popping section and white ping pong type ball,” Mr Shine said.
It was recalled nationally earlier this month.
"Parents should ensure their children are not playing with the toy and dispose of it immediately.
“Under the Fair Trading Act, traders are required to ensure the products they sell meet mandatory safety standards.”
Mr Shine said Fair Trading product safety inspectors detected the ‘ball popper’ projectile toy at the Toowoomba show in April, marketed then as a ‘PopNcatch’ toy.
“Testing revealed that the toy failed mandatory safety requirements for projectile toys because it was able to fire objects at such a force that it posed as a serious eye injury hazard.
“The safety requirements are intended to reduce the risk of eye injuries.
“The toy was removed from sale at the show immediately, and product safety officers contacted the importer to ensure it was removed from supply nationally.”
Mr Shine said the Office of Fair Trading was notified on 9th July by a toy industry member that the same type of projectile toy was being sold with the ‘Dmag’ children’s magazine in supermarkets and news agencies throughout Australia.
“Fair Trading officers contacted Dmag magazine and advised them that the toy failed the mandatory requirements in Queensland for a projectile toy, as it was capable of firing an object, posing a serious risk of eye injury to children,” he said.
“The Office of Fair Trading advised the publishers of Dmag magazine to remove the product from supply and undertake a product safety recall.
“The company has cooperated completely with the Office of Fair Trading, and has undertaken to ensure all toys given away with the magazine comply with relevant mandatory toy standards.”
For information about product safety standards visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04.
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273.