Hungry Jack’s fined $150k by ACCC over Garfield toy

Hungry Jack’s has copped a huge fine and been forced to recall thousands of toys given out with kids’ meals after not warning customers about safety risks.

Fast food giant Hungry Jack’s has paid a six-figure fine after it was alleged toys given out with children’s meals did not have adequate warnings about button batteries.

The fast food franchise paid fines totalling $150,240 to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), after Garfield toys were allegedly distributed nationwide without the required warnings and information about the batteries.

The consumer watchdog says 27,850 of the Garfield toys were given out with Hungry Jack’s children’s meals between May 20, 2024 and May 30, 2024.

The toy was compliant with the button battery safety standard, but did not advise consumers that it contained button batteries or provide relevant warnings about the potentially fatal hazards or advice on what to do if a child ingested one.

The ACCC issued eight infringement notices on the alleged breaches of Australian Consumer Law.

A free Garfield toy given out in Hungry Jack’s children’s meals has cost them a hefty fine of $150,240.

The ACCC issued eight infringement notices as the toy allegedly breached Australian Consumer Law but failing to comply withmandatory button battery information standard.

“Button batteries are extremely dangerous for young children and tragically, children have been seriously injured or died from swallowing or ingesting them,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“The ACCC continues to see non-compliant products on the market, which pose unacceptable safety risks to vulnerable young children.

“We take non-compliance with these important standards seriously and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where appropriate.”

A statement from the ACCC said it had also accepted a court-enforcable undertaking from Hungry Jack’s, in which it admitted the Garfield toy was likely to have failed to comply with the button battery information standard.

The fast food giant has recalled the toy, with a statement posted to social media in June last year telling consumers to stop using the product immediately and place it out of the reach of children.

Customers can return the Garfield toy to their nearest Hungry Jack’s for a free replacement with a non-battery toy.

The ACCC says Hungry Jack’s will establish and implement a compliance program designed to minimise future breaches of the Australian Consumer Law.