ACCC investigating Thermomix following injury report

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has confirmed it's investigating Thermomix following numerous reported injuries related to the kitchen appliance.

File image of a Thermomix appliance

File image of a Thermomix appliance Source: AAP

The ACCC has confirmed it is investigating two models of the popular kitchen appliance Thermomix, following calls for a review from consumer advocacy group Choice.

In May, Choice referred a  of injuries and experiences of to the ACCC for review. 

In a statement to SBS on Thursday, the ACCC confirmed that investigations into the device's manufacturer, Vorwerk, had been ongoing since March.

"Safety concerns have been reported in relation to both the TM31 and the TM5," the statement said. 

"The ACCC received data from Choice in relation to its mass incident report in May 2016, which has formed part of broader material being considered as part of the ACCC’s investigation."

The commission said it had a range of options it could pursue if it considered the Thermomix manufacturer had contravened Australian Consumer Law.
"In deciding which compliance or enforcement tool (or the combination of such tools) to use, the ACCC’s first priority is always to achieve the best possible outcome for the community and to manage risk proportionately," the statement said.

"We note the public interest in these matters, and will be seeking to reach a considered view as soon as possible."

It's estimated that more than 300,000 Australians own the device, which costs around $2,000.

Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey said an investigation was a "positive outcome", but said if Australia had a "transparent system", there would be no need for such measures.
Image issued by Choice on August 11
Image issued by Choice to SBS on August 11 Source: Choice
"We very much welcome it and we think it points to real failings in Australia's product-failing system as well," he told SBS.

"In Australia, companies need to make mandatory safety reports when a product injures someone. At the moment those reports are kept secret. 

"There have been more than 10,000 reports made since 2011 and consumers are aware of around seven.

"We don't think it's right that vital information about a product's safety is kept secret from the public."

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2 min read
Published 11 August 2016 1:44pm
Updated 11 August 2016 2:30pm
By Peter Theodosiou

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