Karmactive Staff
Consumer Affairs Victoria has seized thousands of potentially hazardous products from the newly opened Panda Mart discount store in Cranbourne, Melbourne. Inspectors found numerous items that failed to meet mandatory safety standards, including toys and baby rattles containing inadequately secured button batteries.
The regulatory body issued an urgent public warning on March 5, 2025, advising consumers who purchased items from Panda Mart to “stop using them immediately and return them to the store for a refund.”
Serious Safety Risks Identified
Among the confiscated products were toys with button batteries that posed life-threatening risks to children. When swallowed, these batteries can burn through a child’s esophagus in as little as two hours, potentially causing severe internal burns, bleeding, and death.
Consumer Affairs Victoria Director Nicole Rich emphasized the gravity of the situation: “We know many Victorians are looking for bargains when they’re shopping given the cost of living, but they shouldn’t have to worry about picking up dangerous products at the same time, especially ones for babies and kids.”
The seized inventory included a wide range of items beyond toys, such as:
- Bike helmets
- Archery sets
- Luggage straps
- Toy guns
- Children’s makeup sets
- Birthday cards
- Glitter balls
- Calculators
- Flashing toys
- Cosmetics failing to meet safety standards
- Products posing injury, choking, or strangulation hazards
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Store Opening Chaos
The safety concerns come just days after Panda Mart’s chaotic grand opening. The discount retailer, described as “Temu in real life,” attracted such massive crowds that police intervention was required to control the situation. The store, housing over 50,000 products, was forced to close early on Saturday when shoppers attempted to push past staff.
“We apologise for the recent crowding in our store, which may have impacted your shopping experience,” Panda Mart stated following the incident. “To improve safety and comfort, we’re actively managing customer flow by increasing staff, implementing crowd control, and streamlining checkout.”
Regulatory Response
Consumer Affairs Victoria is continuing its investigation and may take further action. Under Australian Consumer Law, businesses can face fines of up to $50 million for supplying products that do not meet mandatory safety or information standards.
Rich noted that while the regulatory body acted swiftly to remove dangerous products, the responsibility ultimately lies with retailers: “We’ve responded quickly to take action and remove these products from the shelves – but it’s up to businesses to understand the law, and not stock them in the first place.”
Company Background
According to reports, Panda Mart started in South Africa and has expanded to the United States, South America, and New Zealand before entering the Australian market. Despite the current safety issues, the company reportedly plans to open a second Melbourne store in Preston.
The discount retailer has gained popularity amid rising living costs, with consumers seeking affordable household items and toys. However, this incident raises serious questions about product safety oversight in low-cost retail chains.
As Consumer Affairs Victoria continues its investigation, consumers are urged to prioritize safety over cost savings when shopping at discount retailers.
FAQ
What safety issues were found at Panda Mart?
Consumer Affairs Victoria found numerous products that failed to meet mandatory safety standards, including toys and baby rattles with inadequately secured button batteries, cosmetics that didn’t meet safety standards, and items posing injury, choking, or strangulation hazards like projectiles, archery sets, and toy guns.
Why are button batteries dangerous to children?
Button batteries can burn through a child’s esophagus in as little as two hours if swallowed, causing severe internal burns, bleeding, and potentially death. The batteries found in Panda Mart toys and baby rattles were inadequately secured and labeled, increasing the risk of children accessing and swallowing them.
What should I do if I purchased items from Panda Mart?
Consumer Affairs Victoria advises consumers to stop using any products purchased from Panda Mart immediately and return them to the store for a full refund. This applies to all items, as thousands of products were seized due to safety concerns.
What penalties could Panda Mart face for selling unsafe products?
Under Australian Consumer Law, businesses can be fined up to $50 million for supplying products that do not meet mandatory safety or information standards. Consumer Affairs Victoria is continuing its investigation and may take further action against Panda Mart.
Why was there chaos at Panda Mart’s opening?
Panda Mart’s opening in Cranbourne attracted massive crowds seeking bargains amid rising living costs. The situation became so chaotic that police were called to control the crowds, and the store was forced to close early when shoppers tried to push past staff to enter.
Is Panda Mart still expanding in Australia despite these issues?
According to reports, despite the current safety concerns, Panda Mart still plans to open a second Melbourne store in Preston. The company originated in South Africa and has previously expanded to the United States, South America, and New Zealand before entering the Australian market.
