ACCC investigates kitchen injuries from Thermomix

CONSUMER cops are investigating Thermomix over injuries to owners — and attempts to silence them.

Under pressure: the Thermomix TM31 is one of the models under investigation. Source: supplied

CONSUMER cops are investigating Thermomix over injuries to owners — and attempts to silence them.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission yesterday confirmed it was scrutinising “safety concerns and reports of confidentiality requirements” after The Daily Telegraph learnt of the ­official inquiry using Freedom of ­Information laws.

About 300,000 Australians own a Thermomix. Most are ardent advocates for the food processors, which cost about $2000. However, in May this year the consumer group Choice sent the ACCC a report cataloguing 83 incidents involving TM31s and four about the newer TM5.

GOT A LEGAL QUERY? JOIN OUR EXPERT BLOG NOW THROUGH THIS LINK

SEE MORE FROM THE PUBLIC DEFENDER

Follow John Rolfe on Twitter or Facebook.

Choice said at least 18 people needed medical treatment after being hurt using a Thermomix and that the supplier should have made 10 mandatory notifications to the ACCC, which is the national product safety regulator.

Choice also raised concerns about the use of nondisclosure agreements.

It called on the ACCC to launch an investigation. It can now be revealed the ACCC already had.

“The ACCC has been investigating this matter in relation to reported safety concerns and reports of confidentiality requirements since March 2016,” a spokeswoman said.

“Safety concerns have been reported (about) both the TM31 and TM5.”

After Choice sent the “mass incident report” The Daily Telegraph asked the ACCC how many mandatory notifications had been made.

The ACCC said it couldn’t say how many because the supplier, Thermomix in Australia Pty Ltd (TIA), and the German manufacturer Vorwerk wanted the information kept confidential. Many companies allow the ACCC to disclose information about safety notifications.

So, in late May, The Daily Telegraph requested under the Freedom of Information Act details of all Thermomix notifications as well as correspondence between the ACCC and the two companies since the start of 2014. Seventeen documents matched the request. The ACCC this week ­decided it would grant partial access to one. Access to 12 documents was denied for reasons including “prejudice of ongoing investigation”.

TIA and Vorwerk have hired the crisis management firm Powell Tate to manage their public relations.

It issued a statement yesterday: “The safety, welfare and support of our customers is and always has been our highest priority. TIA and Vorwerk are aware of the ACCC investigation. We have always fully co-operated with the relevant authorities and will continue to do so.”

Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey said: “It is concerning vital information about the number and nature of injuries is hidden from the public.”