Visitors young and old to the iconic Melbourne Royal Show will be able to safely enjoy a range of showbags after this year’s line-up passed mandatory safety standard inspections.

Minister for Consumer Affairs Melissa Horne today visited the Melbourne Showgrounds to officially launch the showbags and thanked Consumer Affairs Victoria inspectors for keeping families safe from dangerous products.

In preparation for this year’s Show, inspectors examined more than 200 showbags in line with safety standards under the Australian Consumer Law, which included checking more than 1480 individual items.

The inspections uncovered seven items failing to meet either mandatory safety or information standards under the Australian Consumer Law, with these items since being replaced to ensure everyone can enjoy the contents of this year’s showbags safely.

According to the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit, 174 children aged between 0-4 years presented in emergency departments for choking or suffocation related injuries during 2020-21.

Consumer Affairs Victoria has worked with the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria for nearly four decades, inspecting showbags since the mid-1980s.

Under Australian Consumer Law, it is illegal to supply products that do not meet mandatory safety and information standards.

Businesses found with unsafe products can receive $5000 on-the-spot fines, while serious and repeat breaches of product safety laws can lead to court action and penalties of $500,000 for individuals or $10 million for companies.

Inspectors will be at the show throughout the 11-day event making sure that showbags and stalls continue to comply with product safety regulations.

The Melbourne Royal Show runs from 22 September to 2 October 2022 at the Melbourne Showgrounds, with showbags available to purchase from the Showbag Pavilion.