Product Recall Monitor
July 2023 - June 2024
The Liberty Specialty Markets (Liberty) Product Recall Monitor summarises product recalls that have taken place across a variety of industries in Australia over the past 12 months.
Why Liberty?
Every day Liberty protects around a third of all products sold in major Australian supermarkets should they face a product recall. Liberty’s Crisis Management insurance products help to provide financial protection and assistance in the event of a product recall, malicious product tampering event or a product withdrawal.
Experts in crisis management
Market leading cover and best in class crisis support
Exceptional service, risk engineering and local claims handling
24/7 support
Find out more
You can access pre-incident credit to prepare
for a product recall
All Liberty Insured’s have pre-incident funds available as part of their Liberty Product Recall policy. The allocation is 10% of the net base premium which can be used towards any Liberty pre-approved pre-incident training. These pre incident funds can help you prepare for product recall situations.
What is pre-incident training?
Can Liberty consultants provide assistance during a product recall event?
Who is on Liberty’s panel?
Are consultant’s costs covered by Liberty’s policy as a result of an Insured Event?
Does the self-insured retention apply to Liberty consultants?
Food & beverage
1
31 May 2024
9 April 2024
30 April 2024
20 June 2024
Contact us
Liberty is not authorised to provide financial product advice. The information in this document does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Always consider the applicable policy wording and other relevant documents before deciding to acquire a financial product. This information is current as at August 2024. Liberty means Liberty Specialty Markets, a trading name of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Australia Branch (ABN 61 086 083 605; AFSL No. 530842 (for claims handling and settling services only)) incorporated in Massachusetts, USA (the liability of members is limited); Liberty Specialty Markets Hong Kong Limited (UBI 66395065); Liberty Specialty Markets Singapore Pte Limited (UEN 201538069C); and Liberty Specialty Markets Singapore Pte Limited, Labuan Branch (Company No. LF12903), a licensed insurer under the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010 (Licence No. IS2016162).
If you’re looking for more information regarding product recall insurance, please contact our specialist Crisis Management underwriters.
Sydney
Shelley Devane
Assistant Vice President, Crisis Management
T +61 2 8298 5959
E shelley.devane@libertyglobalgroup.com
Michael Lincoln
Vice President, Crisis Management
Asia Pacific
T +61 2 8298 5958
E michael.lincoln@libertyglobalgroup.com
Melbourne
Keith Bostock
Underwriter, Crisis Management
T +61 3 9619 9832
E keith.bostock@libertyglobalgroup.com
Donna Niblock
Assistant Vice President
Crisis Management & Victorian Branch Manager
T +61 3 9619 9832
E donna.niblock@libertyglobalgroup.com
Brisbane
Bill Hardie
Senior Underwriter, Crisis Management
T +61 7 3235 8808
E bill.hardie@libertyglobalgroup.com
Hong Kong
Joyce Cheng
Assistant Vice President,
Crisis Management, Asia
T +852 3655 2685
E joyce.cheng@libertyglobalgroup.com
Visit the Liberty Specialty Markets website
Singapore
Si Min Tay
Senior Underwriter, Crisis Management
T +65 6622 9191
E simin.tay@libertyglobalgroup.com
Malaysia
Ken Tung
Underwriter, Crisis Management
T +60 3 2082 4000
E ken.tung@libertyglobalgroup.com
Learn more about Liberty Specialty Markets in Australia
CRISIS MANAGEMENT // NEWSLETTER // AUSTRALIA
Experts in crisis management
Liberty has the largest recall team in Australia, comprised of experienced underwriters with more than 20 years experience.
Our bespoke policies are tailored to suit the individual needs of clients, covering:
Product defect
Accidental contamination
Intentionally impaired ingredient
Government recall
Alleged contamination
Product extortion
Malicious product tampering
Adverse publicity
Market leading cover and best in class crisis support
Our market leading Contaminated Products Insurance includes Retailers Withdrawal coverage*. This means our policy also covers product withdrawal due to a quality issue with no threat of bodily injury. This fills the significant gap in coverage for many clients who find themselves exposed when their product is subject to a withdrawal from supermarkets due to a quality issue, as opposed to a food safety issue.
* All benefits and covers described in this monitor are subject to the terms of the relevant policy.
Exceptional service, risk engineering and local claims handling
We understand the need for a quick turnaround. Liberty has Crisis Management underwriters in all eastern states and can meet with clients when needed the most.
You can expect 24/7 support from our dedicated crisis management consultants. We provide access to leading crisis management consultants, market leading food technologists and PR experts to assist you with the prevention, management and recovery from a product recall event.
24/7 support
If you would like to know more about product recalls and withdrawals and the tailored solutions we provide, please get in contact with a member of the Liberty Crisis Management team.
Find out more
What is pre-incident training?
Some of the services that our consultants offer include:
Mock recall exercises
Recall plan and crisis management plan reviews
Media training
Root cause analysis exercises
Contingency and business continuity planning/project management
Assistance in the development of risk based supplier management systems and programs
Can Liberty consultants also provide assistance during a product recall event?
Yes. We know it is often how a client reacts in the critical first days, or even hours, of a crisis that can determine how severe a crisis will become. This is when the experience and expertise of Liberty’s crisis management consultants is most useful. They can provide advice and assistance to help deal with the crisis at hand. In the event of an incident which may give rise to an insured event, and as part of Liberty’s product recall policies, we have made available crisis management experts for the Insured.
Who is on Liberty’s panel?
Liberty’s panel of consultants includes Intelligent Risks and HACCP Australia. Representatives from Intelligent Risks and HACCP Australia are based in Sydney and are happy to meet with clients pre or post binding.
HACCP Australia
Based in North Sydney, with staff located in Brisbane, Melbourne, Hong Kong & London. HACCP have over 20 years of involvement in the insurance industry, responding to client’s pre-incident and crisis response requirements. They have been in the food technology business for many years of "on the factory floor" experience. This extensive experience and knowledge make HACCP Australia one of the most experienced Crisis Management consultants in Australia and a significant addition to the value and expertise our clients can access. Accidental contaminations are historically the most common type of claim under a contaminated Products policy. Being able to provide access to the expertise and experience of HACCP Australia in the event of an incident will help clients better handle these incidents.
Intelligent Risks
Intelligent Risks was established in early 2001 and has grown into a market leading security, risk, due diligence and crisis management advisory firm. Intelligent Risks support large multinational clients and government agencies worldwide and leading Australian firms by delivering outcomes that build on best practice, and which are adapted to each client’s requirements and capabilities. The team is led by Neil Fergus who has many years of experience managing crisis events, including product recalls, extortion and malicious products tampering, for both the corporate and government sectors.
Are consultant’s costs covered by Liberty’s policy as a result of an Insured Event?
These costs are included under the policy, and continue for 12 months from first discovery of the insured event if indemnity is accepted under the policy. In the event indemnity is not accepted, Liberty will still pay the costs of the consultants up to the time Liberty first advises indemnity is not available under the policy.
Does the self-insured retention apply to Liberty consultants?
No self-insured retention applies to consultant and advisor costs. A self-insured retention is a specified amount of money that an insured party agrees to pay out-of-pocket before their insurance policy coverage begins for a particular claim.
Beer
The recall was due to secondary fermentation. Food products containing excess alcohol and carbonation may cause illness/injury if consumed.
31 May 2024
Juice powder
The recall is due to potential microbial (Salmonella) contamination. Food products contaminated with Salmonella may cause illness if consumed.
9 April 2024
Protein bar
The recall is due to presence of foreign matter (plastic). Food products containing plastic may cause illness/injury if consumed.
30 April 2024
Family pizzas
The recall is due to presence of foreign matter (metal). Food products containing metal may cause illness/injury if consumed.
20 June 2024
Examples of recalls
Unapproved ingredients
Packaging failure
Secondary fermentation/alcohol exceeding limit
Chemical contamination
Foreign matter
Microbiological/biotoxin
Undeclared/incorrect allergen/labelling issues
4
3
9
10
45
Why Liberty?
Access pre-incident credit
What’s been recalled in Australia?
Food and beverage
Home and living
Babies and kids
Health and lifestyle
Reasons for recalls
10
20
30
40
50
Allergens examples
4 April 2024
10 April 2024
24 May 2024
18 June 2024
Cup of noodles
The noodle was recalled due to the presence of an undeclared allergen (peanut). Any consumers who have a peanut allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if consumed.
4 April 2024
Brownies
The brownie was recalled due to the presence of an undeclared allergen (cashew and egg). Any consumers who have a cashew or egg allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if consumed.
10 April 2024
Pancake mix
The pancake mix was recalled due to the presence of an undeclared allergen (milk). Any consumers who have a milk allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if consumed.
24 May 2024
Corn chips
The corn chips were recalled due to the presence of an undeclared allergen (gluten). Any consumers who have gluten intolerance may have a reaction if consumed.
18 June 2024
Reasons for recalls due to allergens
10
20
10
40
50
Egg
Peanut/Tree nut
Cashew
Lupin
Soy
Sulphites
Others
1
4
3
9
10
45
Milk
Gluten
Sesame
7
16
20
Home and living
Examples of recalls
19 July 2023
22 December 2023
12 April 2024
5 June 2024
Speaker
Electrical parts with the bass modules may crack and fail which can lead to a short circuit and overheating. There is a risk of fire and electric shock if a short circuit occurs.
19 July 2023
Tealight candles
The battery compartment may not be secure. The cover may detach when pulled and the battery could become accessible. There is a risk of choking, severe internal burn injuries or death to young children if they gain access to the button batteries.
22 December 2023
Stick vacumn
Components of the circuit board may overhead and catch fire if the vacumn short circuits or the incorrect charger is used. There is a risk of serious injury and property damage from fire.
12 April 2024
Mug
Due to manufacturing defect, mug may break unexpectedly and have its base detach when hot liquid is poured into the mug. There is a risk of cuts and burns by scalding if the mug breaks during use.
5 June 2024
Reasons for recalls
10
5
10
10
50
15
Injury
Burns
Electric Shock
Choking
8
13
12
Babies and kids
Examples of recalls
21 February 2024
29 February 2024
30 May 2024
17 August 2024
Octopus toy
The elasticated legs extend further than the maximum allowed length of 500mm. There is a risk of death or serious injury from strangulation. The legs can stretch and wind around a childs neck, especially if swung around the head.
21 February 2024
Duck bath toys
The squeaker may detach from the duck and create a small part that can be swallowed. There is a risk of choking, suffocation or death if the squeaker detaches from a toy duck and is swallowed.
29 February 2024
Baby romper
Loose threads inside the garment may entangle fingers, toes or limbs.
30 May 2024
Childrens hoodie blanket
The product does not have required fire hazard labelling. There is a risk of serious burn injuries if exposed to a heat or flame source.
17 August 2024
Reasons for recalls
10
10
10
20
40
30
Allergy reactions/mislabelling
Injuries
Choking/suffocation
Burns
1
9
39
4
Health and lifestyle
Examples of recalls
13 September 2023
15 September 2023
6 October 2023
18 October 2023
Bicycle tyres
The tyre beading may separate from the rim. This will cause the tyre to immediately and completely deflate. Risk of serious injury or death if the tyre separates and causes the user to lose control of the bicycle or cause an accident.
13 September 2023
Heart monitor
The products were sold without the warning information that is required for products containing button batteries. There is risk of choking, severe internal burn injuries or death to young children.
15 September 2023
Hair spray
The products were sold without the ingredient information that is required for cosmetic products. There is a risk of allergic reaction if consumers are exposed to ingredients they are sensitive or allergic to.
6 October 2023
Park swing
The rope may fray under the swing seat and snap. Risk of serious injury to children if the rope snaps while using the swing.
18 October 2023
Reasons for recalls
2
4
6
8
10
15
Allergic reactions
Injury
Health risk
Choking
2
8
1
Electric shock
Contact us
Our local claims handling is managed out of Sydney by our senior claims specialist, James Paul.
We have a dedicated Risk Engineer, Luis Gonzales, who provides technical support to underwriters regarding risk. Luis is available to meet with your client to help ensure we fully understand your client’s business.
For a full list of all products recalled in Australia, visit the Product Safety Australia website
Global reach. Financial strength. Local authority.
Distinct, complex and constantly evolving – every business is as unique as its insurance needs. To confidently progress in the face of risk and uncertainty requires a level of security you can only achieve through working with specialists.
Liberty Specialty Markets offers a breadth of world-class insurance and reinsurance services to brokers and insured clients. We bring value and solutions to more than 26,000 of Asia Pacific’s most significant business and government organisations – helping protect what they earn, build and own.
We’re part of the global Liberty Mutual Group, a Fortune 100 company that’s been in business since 1912 with a Standard and Poor’s ‘A’ rating.
Learn about Liberty's Contaminated Products Insurance
View Liberty's examples of costs involved in product withdrawals
Learn the difference between Liberty's Contaminated Products Insurance and a standard product liability policy with a Recall Expense Extension
AP0947
Last updated 6 December 2024
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HACCP Australia
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All benefits and covers described in this newsletter are subject to the terms of the relevant policy
