Light up vodka recalled over choking fears

Grey Goose Northern Lights Edition has been recalled by Product Safety Australia over fears that children might choke on the battery used to power the light it comes with, despite the fact that consumers have to be at least 18-years-old to buy it.

According to Product Safety Australia (which is a subsidiary of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission), lot code L23039GE2 of the limited-edition vodka “does not comply with the mandatory standards for products containing button/coin batteries. The button/coin batteries are not adequately secured and are accessible to young children. The product does not include the required warning information.”

“There is a risk of choking, severe internal burn injuries or death to young children if they gain access to the button/coin batteries and swallow or insert them,” Product Safety Australia claimed. “Severe or fatal injuries can happen in 2 hours or less.”

The packaging was created by brand design agency Intertype Studio Ltd. The “hidden light puck” at its base, in the punt of the bottle, which contains the offending battery, is used to illuminate the northern lights design of the bottle. Intertype Studio Ltd also noted that the bottle was created specifically with the on-trade in mind, and that the light “can be programmed to pulse in response to background music”. The launch of the vodka was accompanied by an ad campaign, called Vive La Nuit.

In Australia’s off-trade, it was sold at Dan Murphy’s and BWS.

Grey Goose, which is owned by Bacardi, is yet to issue a statement on whether the French vodka will be recalled in other markets, but Australian consumers who purchased the product between 1 October and 21 December 2023 are advised to contact Grey Goose Australia.

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