The death of a Sunshine Coast child who ingested a button battery has resurfaced in national focus after Hungry Jack’s was penalised for breaching battery safety rules in its toy giveaways.
Child’s Death Prompts Renewed Safety Focus
The death of four-year-old Sunshine Coast child Summer Steer in 2013 from ingesting a lithium button battery remains a pivotal moment in shaping Australia’s consumer safety practices. Summer became the first Australian child known to die from ingesting a button battery, with her death following multiple medical visits in the hours before she collapsed.
She was taken to Noosa Hospital three times on the day of her death, after experiencing a nosebleed and vomiting blood. Despite initial assurances from doctors, she later suffered a cardiac arrest and died after being transferred to Brisbane. An inquest later confirmed the cause was internal injuries from a swallowed battery.
Hungry Jack’s Toy Recall and Penalty
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has penalised Hungry Jack’s Pty Ltd $150,240 for supplying toys without required button battery warnings. The breach involved 27,850 Garfield toys distributed with children’s meals over a 10-day period in May 2024. While the toys complied with the mandatory button battery safety standard, the packaging failed to include the necessary hazard warnings or advice on what to do in case of ingestion, as required under the information standard.
The fast-food company was issued eight infringement notices and has since signed a court-enforceable undertaking admitting the toy likely failed to comply with information standards. The company also announced it would implement a compliance program to avoid future breaches.
Button Battery Risks and Regulation
Button batteries are small and can become lodged in a child’s throat if swallowed, leading to fatal injuries in as little as two hours. In Australia, at least three children have died and more than one child each month is injured due to button battery incidents.
The mandatory button battery standards in Australia require not only physical safety measures like secure battery compartments but also clear labelling and consumer guidance. The ACCC has continued to take enforcement action against suppliers who fail to meet these obligations.
Consumer Advocates Raise Concern
Following the Hungry Jack’s incident, safety advocates have reiterated the danger these batteries pose. The ACCC stated that despite recent regulatory improvements, non-compliant products remain on the market, presenting ongoing risks to children. Organisations such as Kidsafe Queensland remain active in urging tighter compliance with safety regulations and clearer warning labels.
Andrea Shoesmith, mother of Summer Steer, remains critical of businesses that downplay the risks. She has long campaigned for stricter rules around button batteries and said that even when products technically meet construction standards, they can still pose serious harm if not correctly labelled.
Response and Ongoing Measures
The Garfield toys have since been withdrawn by Hungry Jack’s, with non-battery alternatives available for exchange at any of the chain’s outlets.
The ACCC has urged families to check their homes for button battery products and to report any safety concerns. It has also warned that companies must report any serious safety incidents involving their products within two days.
The commission said it would continue to monitor businesses for compliance and take enforcement action where necessary. The safety of consumer goods involving young children remains a core focus for the ACCC in the 2025–26 period.
Published 12-May-2025
