The folks responsible for the Thermomix have been fined an astonishing $4.6 million after nine Australians sustained serious burns operating their uber-expensive cooking machines.
The fine was handed down after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission argued that Vorwerk, the manufacturers of the Thermomix, had not adequately reacted to reports of severe injuries suffered by Thermomix users.
Federal Court judge Bernard Murphy heard that more than 70 Australians had reported injuries related to the Thermomix, all of which were related to a faulty lid seal.
Murphy agreed the company had delayed reporting the issue to government authorities, and had mislead customers in 2014 by saying its products were totally safe – despite a recall on the bung lid component.
Justice Murphy said that executives were aware of the faults at the time, but “a large number of consumers were exposed to the risk of serious burns” as a result of their response.
The company admitted to four breaches of consumer law, and fully copped to the fine.
