Aldi pulls sale of new product at last minute after furious backlash
Aldi has pulled plans to sell flushable wipes after a furious backlash from shoppers and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) raising concerns.
The supermarket chain had listed earlier in the week Green Action flushable bathroom wipes as one of its Special Buys for $4.99.
The product, which was meant to go on sale in all Aldi stores today, has been pulled from shelves at the last minute.
It comes after loyal shoppers flocked to Aldi’s Facebook page to criticise the product and Aldi for stocking it. Despite the name, flushable wipes are notorious for clogging pipes and local council waterways.
An ALDI spokesperson told News Corp the company was working with the ACCC and had decided not to sell the product.
“Aldi Australia is committed to developing products of the highest quality. We are working with the ACCC regarding their concern with the flushable claim on our Green Action Flushable Bathroom Wipes, planned for sale as a Special Buy on 19th July 2017,” a spokesperson said.
“While there is currently no Australian standard for flushability, this product has been tested to the EDINA and INDA International guidelines, passing flushability and biodegradability tests.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers. We hope to have clarity on the ACCC’s position shortly.”
In a statement sent to News Corp Australia, an ACCC spokesman said that it had raised concerns with ALDI earlier this week.
“The ACCC’s concerns stem from the use of the term ‘flushable’, in particular the concern that such a claim may mislead consumers if the claim cannot be substantiated,” the spokesman said.
“The ACCC is already pursuing alleged misleading ‘flushable’ claims more generally, with two proceedings currently before the Federal Court against Pental and Kimberly-Clark Australia Pty Ltd.
“Part of the ACCC allegations around those two proceedings are the products do not, for example, disintegrate like toilet paper when flushed.
“The ACCC says Australian water authorities face significant problems when non-suitable products are flushed down the toilet as they contribute to blockages in household and municipal sewerage systems.
“ALDI has been responsive to the ACCC’s concerns, and it is understood that ALDI has today withdrawn the product from its Special Buys promotion.”
CHOICE spokesman Tom Godfrey told News Corp Australia they are a product that do not need to exist.
“It’d be great if someone had developed a flushable wipe, and while it’s hard to pass judgment on ALDI’s product without seeing it, consumers should be really wary of flushable wipes,” he said.
“They’re a product that don’t need to exist, they’re bad for the environment, they’re bad for plumbing and can cost you and local councils a great deal of money.”