Hungry Jacks fined more than $150k over Garfield toy in children's meals

The business sold 27,850 of the toys at stores last year.

Moderated by Tomas Kauer Moderated by Tomas Kauer
May 6, 2025 - 01:00
Hungry Jacks fined more than $150k over Garfield toy in children's meals

Hungry Jacks has been fined $150,240 for allegedly selling a children's toy powered by button batteries without warnings required by the mandatory information standard.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued the fast food chain with eight infringement notices after a Garfield toy powered by button batteries was sold nationwide in its children's meals.

The business sold 27,850 toys at stores between May 20 and 30 May 30 in 2024.

READ MORE: Probe resumes into 'missed opportunity' to treat Bondi killerHungry Jacks has been fined $150,240 by the ACCC.

While the Garfield toy complied with the button battery safety standard, it did not advise consumers that it contained button batteries or provide relevant warnings about the potentially fatal hazards these pose or advice about what to do if a child ingested one.

"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.

READ MORE: Mushroom cook a true crime 'super sleuth', jury toldAustralian fast-food franchise Hungry Jack's Pty Ltd has paid penalties totalling $150,240 after the ACCC issued it with eight infringement notices for alleged breaches of the Australian Consumer Law by failing to comply with the mandatory button battery information standard. The infringement notices relate to a Garfield toy powered by button batteries that was supplied nationwide without the important warnings and information required by the mandatory information standard.

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

A spokesperson said the ACCC has also accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Hungry Jacks in which the company admitted the Garfield toy is likely to have failed to comply with the button battery information standard.

The ACCC said Hungry Jacks will establish and implement a compliance program designed to minimise the risk of potential future breaches of the Australian consumer law.

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