Beloved children's entertainment group The Wiggles have formally acknowledged they likely breached Australian consumer law by selling headbands to young fans without adequate safety warnings about the dangers of button batteries contained within the products.
Safety Breach Admission and Product Recall
In a legally-enforceable undertaking signed by Anthony Field, the Blue Wiggle, the group admitted that more than 3,100 Emma Bow headbands were sold without proper safety information. These yellow and black accessories, featuring four flashing lights powered by button batteries, were available at live concerts, through retailers, and online between June 2022 and March 2024.
The manufacturer, CA Australia, issued a formal recall for the headbands in August 2024 following escalating safety concerns. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) highlighted the severe risks these small, shiny batteries pose to young children, who might ingest them.
The Grave Dangers of Button Batteries
ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe issued a stark warning, emphasising that button batteries can cause catastrophic injuries or death in as little as two hours if swallowed. "Without a warning on the product, parents may not have known it contained button batteries and not understood the severity of the risk," Lowe stated in a Tuesday announcement.
This incident underscores a wider public health issue. Researchers estimate that approximately 200 Australian children are potentially exposed to button battery injury each year, with at least a dozen suffering severe harm. The consumer watchdog confirmed that button batteries have been linked to the deaths of three children in Australia, though these tragic incidents were unrelated to the Emma Bow product.
Resolution and Ongoing Legal Matters
As part of its cooperation with the ACCC's investigation, The Wiggles have committed to raising awareness about the issue. The group pledged to produce a special episode of their Wiggle Talk podcast dedicated to discussing safety issues relating to button batteries in children's toys. The manufacturer has also vowed to improve its compliance with consumer law.
This safety admission arrives amidst other legal challenges for the children's supergroup. Their former CEO, Luke O'Neill, launched legal action in the Federal Court in September, alleging he was dismissed without reasonable basis. The Wiggles denied these claims, countering that his dismissal was due to unsatisfactory performance and a breakdown of trust. A settlement between the two parties was reportedly negotiated in October.
