Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge is warning consumers to check their blenders following the national recall of a George Foreman blender attachment.

Ms Judge said there have been 31 reported cases of blades separating from the shaft of the George Foreman Stick Mixer (model GFSM1), posing serious safety risks for consumers.

“There is a risk that blades and metal fragments could be ingested with food,” Ms Judge said.

“The supplier, Salton Pty Ltd, is now carrying out a voluntary recall to remove this product from the marketplace.

“Fair Trading has been advised that an estimated 6,000 units were sold in Australia, including 1,345 in NSW, between September 2009 and March 2010.”

The affected batches are:
• 0933
• 0935
• 0942
• 0943
• 0949

The mixer was sold at Bi-Rite, Betta Electrical, The Good Guys, Harvey Norman, Domayne, Target, Retravision, Harris Scarfe and smaller independent electrical stores.

“Consumers should stop using the blender shaft attachment immediately and contact the supplier via Salton Customer Service Department on toll free 1800 190 400 to organise a return and replacement,” she said.

“The chopping bowl (including the chopping blade) and the whisk do not form part of the product recall.”

Ms Judge said voluntary recalls play a vital role in product safety.

“ACCC figures show that an estimated 30 Australians are killed and a further 180 to 500 are seriously injured by faulty goods every year,” she said.

“The ACCC is currently carrying out a review into the effectiveness of the product recall system to determine if any improvements need to be made. I encourage all NSW consumers to have their say online at www.recalls.gov.au.”

Over the past 12 months, there have been 377 product recalls in Australia including 29 electrical products.

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