ACCC Launches Investigation Over Thermomix Explosions

Consumer cops have launched an investigation over injuries caused by Thermomix explosions to owners — and the company’s attempts to silence them.

In this Daily Telegraph exclusive, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which is the national product safety regulator, has confirmed that it was looking into “safety concerns and reports of confidentiality requirements” after News Corp Australia learnt of the official probe using freedom of information laws.

In Australia, around 300,000 people are owners to a Thermomix product, mostly food processors, which cost about $2000 each.

However, in May this year, the consumer group Choice sent the ACCC a report stating 83 incidents involving TM31s and four incidents about the newer TM5.

Choice said at least 18 people needed medical treatment after getting injured using a Thermomix and that the supplier should have made 10 mandatory notifications to the ACCC. It also raised concerns about the use of nondisclosure agreements. It then asked the ACCC to launch an investigation, which has now started.

“The ACCC has been investigating this matter in relation to reported safety concerns and reports of confidentiality requirements since March 2016,” a spokeswoman told News Corp Australia. “Safety concerns have been reported in relation to both the TM31 and the TM5.”

News Corp Australia has asked the ACCC how many mandatory notifications had been made since Choice sent the report. The ACCC replied that the number cannot be determined yet as Thermomix in Australia Pty Ltd (TiA) and the German manufacturer, Vorwerk, wanted the information to be confidential unlike other companies that allow the ACCC to disclose information about safety notifications.

Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey said: “It is deeply concerning that vital information about the number and nature of injuries caused by products like the Thermomix TM31 continues to be hidden from public.”

Because of this, in late May, News Corp Australia requested under the Freedom of Information Act details of all Thermomix notifications as well as correspondence between the ACCC and the two companies since the start of 2014.

A total of 17 documents matched the request. The ACCC then decided it would grant partial access to one of these. Yet, the “schedule of documents” matching the request shows access to 12 was denied for reasons including “prejudice of ongoing investigation”, thereby revealing Thermomix was in the ACCC’s crosshairs.

TiA and Vorwerk, through the crisis management firm Powell Tate said: “The safety, welfare and support of our customers is (sic) and always has (sic) been our highest priority. TiA and Vorwerk are aware of the ACCC investigation. We have always fully co-operated with the relevant authorities and will continue to do so. We do not wish to prejudice the outcome of the review by the ACCC by commenting further at this time.”

Source: Dailytelegraph.com.au