Questions are being raised about whether retailers should be required to verify Australian compliance certification before selling electrical appliances and lithium-powered products, following a product safety issue involving Costco.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has identified a home freeze dryer sold by Costco as potentially hazardous, stating the product does not appear to be registered as compliant with Australian electrical safety standards.

According to the ACCC’s product safety recall team, the appliance poses a risk of injury and fire if it does not meet required standards.

The product, marketed as a home freezer dryer, is manufactured in China and sold by US-based company Harvest Right, which describes itself as a leading brand in the home freeze-dryer market.

Costco has not publicly commented on the matter.

The incident has also prompted scrutiny of import controls, with questions raised about whether Australian Border Force should have identified the lack of compliance documentation during customs clearance.

The product is also available for purchase online, further complicating regulatory oversight.

Separately, the US-based Better Business Bureau lists 195 complaints over the past three years relating to Harvest Right products. These complaints include issues with customer service responsiveness, disputes over refunds and return costs, and concerns about warranty coverage.

Some customers have reported being asked to troubleshoot or repair defective units themselves, as well as being required to cover shipping or additional fees.

The ACCC has advised consumers who own the product to stop using it immediately. Consumers are urged to contact Costco to request proof of electrical compliance at no cost or to arrange a return, refund, and safe disposal.

However, support for the product appears to be handled through a US-based website, which may present challenges for Australian consumers seeking assistance.

The incident has renewed debate about whether stricter enforcement measures are needed to ensure all electrical and battery-powered products sold in Australia meet national safety standards before reaching consumers.

https://harvestright.com/support/