In the lead-up to Halloween, more than 3000 bottles of fake blood, fake moustaches and other costume make-up have been seized by Consumer Affairs Victoria in Melbourne’s South East.
The items did not list ingredients as was required under the Australian cosmetics labelling standard.
They include:
• ‘Bottle of Blood’ and ‘Blood vampire’ fake blood
• ‘Fright Fangs’ tooth caps
• ‘War game’ face paint
• ‘Carnival Colours’ make-up kit, and
• ‘Party Mustache’ fake moustaches.
CAV inspectors had seized 1487 fake blood kits, 1155 fake moustaches and 443 make-up kits during visits to six wholesale and retail businesses.
The items will be destroyed by CAV.
“These product seizures will help ensure that Halloween remains fun for all Victorians,” CAV director Simon Cohen said.
“Ingredient labelling helps parents spot any ingredients that their children may be allergic to, or to more easily identify the cause if a reaction occurs.
“Many of us enjoy a good scare on Halloween – but it should be for the right reasons.”
The Bottle of Blood and War Game products are now subject to a recall.
Two of the inspected businesses have given undertakings to CAV to no longer sell the seized products.
CAV is still investigating the other four businesses.
Under national consumer law, a supplier who fails to comply with a mandatory safety standard can be fined up to $220,000 for individuals and $1.1 million for a business.
CAV has advised consumers to return any of the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.
