You’ve likely held this kitchen tool before—but it’s no longer safe!
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Product recalls can be inconvenient—but when they involve something you use in the kitchen every day, the risks can be more serious than most expect.
One trusted household name has issued an urgent alert over a common item found in homes across Australia.
Here’s what triggered the recall and why authorities are urging immediate action.
Product recalls aren’t unusual—but when a seemingly harmless kitchen staple is linked to injury, it’s a different story altogether.
IKEA found itself in hot water recently after authorities flagged safety concerns with one of its popular kitchen gadgets. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) revealed the issue stemmed from actual incidents of harm...but what exactly went wrong?
The affected item was the IKEA 365+ VÄRDEFULL garlic press—an aluminium, chrome-plated tool with a black plastic handle. It was sold both in-store and online across Australia between 11 March 2024 and 26 May 2025.
At a glance, it looked like any other garlic press. But investigations found that small metal fragments could break off during use, creating a hidden danger—especially if these fragments made their way into food and were accidentally ingested.
Injuries had already been reported, prompting IKEA to pull the product from shelves. The issue specifically involved garlic presses marked with date stamps from 2411 to 2522. Each unit could be identified by the IKEA logo stamped on the upper handle.
Shoppers who had purchased the product were urged to stop using it immediately and check the date stamp to confirm if theirs was affected.
Refunds were being offered in full, and no receipt or proof of purchase was required. IKEA also encouraged people to alert friends or family members who may have borrowed or received the item second-hand.
This wasn’t the only recall that had customers talking. Around the same time, IKEA also withdrew a frozen food item from shelves due to the risk of contamination.
The product, SLAGVERK—a $12 packet of breaded wheat-based bites aimed at vegetarians—was found to contain black rubber pieces. It carried the best-before date 19-08-2025 and the article number 205.588.94.
Consumers were told not to eat the food and to return it for a refund. IKEA advised anyone concerned about potential health effects to seek medical advice.
While it was the physical goods under scrutiny, the reaction online was swift. On social media, shoppers expressed a mix of frustration and relief that the risks had been identified before more people were affected.
As one recall followed another, it served as a timely reminder for Australians to keep an eye on the everyday items they rely on—especially the ones they wouldn’t expect to cause harm.
When everyday items we rely on start posing risks, does it make you more cautious about the brands you’ve trusted for years? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In a previous story, we looked at another major recall—this time affecting nearly 30,000 Ford vehicles across Australia.
For those who value reliability and safety in the products they use every day, these back-to-back alerts serve as a wake-up call to double-check what's in their garage as well as their kitchen.
If you missed that one, it’s well worth a read too.
Read more: Ford recalls nearly 30,000 vehicles over safety risk
One trusted household name has issued an urgent alert over a common item found in homes across Australia.
Here’s what triggered the recall and why authorities are urging immediate action.
Product recalls aren’t unusual—but when a seemingly harmless kitchen staple is linked to injury, it’s a different story altogether.
IKEA found itself in hot water recently after authorities flagged safety concerns with one of its popular kitchen gadgets. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) revealed the issue stemmed from actual incidents of harm...but what exactly went wrong?
The affected item was the IKEA 365+ VÄRDEFULL garlic press—an aluminium, chrome-plated tool with a black plastic handle. It was sold both in-store and online across Australia between 11 March 2024 and 26 May 2025.
IKEA garlic press recalled over injury risk. Image source: IKEA
At a glance, it looked like any other garlic press. But investigations found that small metal fragments could break off during use, creating a hidden danger—especially if these fragments made their way into food and were accidentally ingested.
Injuries had already been reported, prompting IKEA to pull the product from shelves. The issue specifically involved garlic presses marked with date stamps from 2411 to 2522. Each unit could be identified by the IKEA logo stamped on the upper handle.
Shoppers who had purchased the product were urged to stop using it immediately and check the date stamp to confirm if theirs was affected.
Refunds were being offered in full, and no receipt or proof of purchase was required. IKEA also encouraged people to alert friends or family members who may have borrowed or received the item second-hand.
This wasn’t the only recall that had customers talking. Around the same time, IKEA also withdrew a frozen food item from shelves due to the risk of contamination.
The product, SLAGVERK—a $12 packet of breaded wheat-based bites aimed at vegetarians—was found to contain black rubber pieces. It carried the best-before date 19-08-2025 and the article number 205.588.94.
IKEA frozen food recalled over contamination risk. Image source: IKEA
Consumers were told not to eat the food and to return it for a refund. IKEA advised anyone concerned about potential health effects to seek medical advice.
While it was the physical goods under scrutiny, the reaction online was swift. On social media, shoppers expressed a mix of frustration and relief that the risks had been identified before more people were affected.
As one recall followed another, it served as a timely reminder for Australians to keep an eye on the everyday items they rely on—especially the ones they wouldn’t expect to cause harm.
When everyday items we rely on start posing risks, does it make you more cautious about the brands you’ve trusted for years? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In a previous story, we looked at another major recall—this time affecting nearly 30,000 Ford vehicles across Australia.
For those who value reliability and safety in the products they use every day, these back-to-back alerts serve as a wake-up call to double-check what's in their garage as well as their kitchen.
If you missed that one, it’s well worth a read too.
Read more: Ford recalls nearly 30,000 vehicles over safety risk
