The Commerce Commission has added seven new children’s products to its list of unsafe items sold at bargain retailer Panda Mart, as part of an ongoing safety investigation.
The newly flagged items include:
- A baby walker
- A doll
- A toy smartphone
- A fairy cake toy
- A sunscreen product
- Two toy cars
These products bring the total number of unsafe children’s goods to 47, up from 40 identified in December. All were sold at Panda Mart’s Auckland and Christchurch locations and have now been subject to recall notices.
Legally Binding Action
For the first time, the Commission has secured legally binding commitments from Panda Mart. This means the retailer must immediately stop selling any unsafe, similar, or newly identified products. If these terms are broken, the Commission may take legal action.
“This action protects consumers as our investigation continues and helps limit the sale of unsafe goods,” said a Commission spokesperson.
Ongoing Concerns Despite Previous Warnings
Although Panda Mart ceased selling the 40 initially identified products late last year, the Commission found the business continued to offer similar unsafe items. Now, all 47 recalled products have been removed from sale, according to the Commission.
The list of unsafe products includes:
- 11 types of walkers
- 7 types of bikes
- Various toys and sunscreen products
- Hot water bags
Some recalls also extend to non-children’s items such as a gardening tool, extension cord, and multiple table lamps. Full details and notices are available on the New Zealand Product Safety website.
International Scrutiny
Panda Mart has also drawn concern from Australian authorities. In March, Consumer Affairs Victoria issued a public warning, citing thousands of unsafe products including children’s makeup, birthday cards, glitter balls, and bike helmets that failed to meet mandatory safety standards.
Commission’s Ongoing Investigation
Vanessa Horne, General Manager of Competition, Fair Trading, and Credit at the Commerce Commission, confirmed the investigation is still active.
“We continue to monitor the situation and remain concerned about product safety at Panda Mart,” Horne said. “Product safety—especially for children—is a key priority for us.”
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