Inspectors find dangerous chocking hazard at showbag safety check

Inspectors have discovered a dangerous choking hazard inside a children’s showbag at safety checks ahead of the Royal Easter Show.

Wild footage has revealed the strict measures being taken to protect attendees of the Sydney Royal Easter Show this year, with every showbag put to the test.

Of more than 400 showbags tested, only one item has been removed, with video footage showing a child’s toy wand being snapped into pieces by a NSW Fair Trading inspector.

The dangerous choking hazard was discovered when an inspector applied a small amount of pressure to the toy and a plastic diamond snapped off.

The hand held wand inside the Fairy Image showbag has since been removed.

A non-compliant toy wand has been discovered in a Royal Easter Show showbag. Picture: Supplied

Inspectors were tasked with searching the bags for missing warning labels and products containing toxic chemicals and cosmetics, which are banned.

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said more than two million people are expected to attend the Sydney Royal Easter Show and one of the first places people headed to was the showbag pavilion.

Ella, 3, and Leo Shinners, 4, pictured with show bags at the Royal Easter Show, Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Crowds at the Royal Easter Show at Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“Whether their favourite showbag is Barbie, Bertie Beetle or Paw Patrol, those purchasing a showbag can be assured every item sold has been checked to ensure the toys and novelty items are safe for the whole family,” he said.

“I am extremely pleased with the excellent compliance levels shown by the showbag sellers this year, with only one non-compliant item found among the 403 showbag varieties to be offered for sale.

“This continues the trend in recent years of having fewer non-compliant items found during NSW Fair Trading’s pre-show inspections.”

The Royal Easter Show kicked off on March 22 and runs until April 1 at Sydney Olympic Park.