Product safety experts have examined 341 show bags set for the Royal Melbourne Show and removed dangerous items to ensure there are no nasty surprises for show-goers. Minister for Consumer Affairs Marlene Kairouz was joined by students from St Margaret Mary’s Spotswood Primary School today, who were given the chance to road test the show bags ahead of the opening day of the Royal Melbourne Show on Saturday 22 September.
“Buying a show bag is an important part of the Royal Melbourne Show for so many Victorians – they shouldn’t have to worry about the safety of the items.” Minister Kairouz commented “Safety experts have thoroughly examined hundreds of showbags to make sure they meet strict safety standards.”
The Minister explained by the time gates open inspectors from Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) will have examined 400 show bags containing more than 2600 items, including toys, sunglasses, cosmetics and novelty items. Adding that the inspection of 341 show bags to date has uncovered eight items failing to meet either mandatory safety or information standards, with one item removed from sale and seven modified to meet relevant standards:

• one cosmetic product was removed from sale for not complying with mandatory information standards by not including ingredients labelling
• two cosmetic products were modified to include ingredients labelling
• two toys for children under 36 months of age were modified so that they comply with the choking hazard requirements
• three projectile toys were modified so that they comply with the warning label requirements.

Minister Kairouz said that it is unlawful to supply toys that do not meet mandatory safety and information standards under the Australian consumer law. Since the mid-1980s, Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria has partnered with Consumer Affairs Victoria to inspect showbags, ensuring show-goer’s bags have been examined and meet safety standards. CAV inspectors will be out in force across metropolitan and regional Victoria this show season as part of the state-wide inspection program, identifying non-complaint and dangerous products and removing them from sale.