Aldi Australia have stood by their own test results for a Chinese-made kitchen tap, which was found to have dangerous levels of lead.
The Easy Home spiral spring mixer kitchen taps, which were first advertised as a Special Buy in June 2016 and again this year, were found to have as much as 21 times the maximum allowable limit of lead.
But despite the new test results by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC), Aldi Australia maintains the taps are safe for use.
In a statement provided to Daily Mail Australia, an Aldi spokesperson said the $79.99 taps passed Australian standards.
A $79.99 Chinese-made tap sold at Aldi has been found to contain dangerous levels of lead, new tests have revealed
‘We are committed to providing our customers with safe products of the highest quality,’ the statement read.
‘On three separate occasions, the Spiral Spring Mixer tap has passed independent testing. This testing standard is required for the Australian WaterMark certification and is the testing method under the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.’
Those who installed the device were warned not to use water run through it for drinking or cooking.
Aldi also slammed the QBCC testing as ‘flawed’.
Aldi previously said the tap had passed Australian standards before being sold (stock image)
‘We are disappointed that ALDI customers are being provided with inconclusive information that generates such unnecessary concern and inconvenience,’ the Aldi statement said.
‘The report in question is incomplete and inconclusive. The report is missing critical product and manufacturer information required to confirm the identity and origin of the product.’
The QBCC first raised concerns about the tap in July, after more than 12,000 of the taps were installed across Australia.
However, Aldi and the QBCC have agreed to partner on a ‘definitive round of testing’ to determine the safety of the kitchen tap.
The device has been found to give off as much as 21 times the maximum allowable amount of lead
The supermarket has also offered a refund for customers who purchased the tap.
‘If customers who have purchased the ALDI Spiral Spring Mixer Tap would prefer to return the tap before the test results are known, we will provide a full refund for any returns.’
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said they expect Aldi to recall the product if the tests return negative results.
‘If there is a risk that consumer goods may cause injury the ACCC expects suppliers and manufacturers to put voluntary recalls in place to protect consumers,’ a ACCC spokesman said.
Many Aldi Australia customers have since come out in defense of the supermarket.
Laura Cook, from Brisbane, said her spiral spring mixer tap was given the all clear.
‘I bought this tap and had the water tested shortly after the last media release in July/August, and it was all clear and safe to drink,’ Ms Cook said.
The supermarket has also offered a refund for customers who purchased the tap (stock image)
Debra Balza also defended the testing commissioned by the supermarket.
‘There is nothing wrong with this tap. I have tested my water and no lead found,’ she said.
‘I love this tap and am certainly not going to change it.’
Others were more concerned with Aldi selling specialist items, telling the supermarket giant to ‘stick to food’.
‘Aldi just stick to selling food and leave the specialist items to the specialist resellers,’ Josh McKain said.
‘There is a reason the prices on mixer taps are high with plumbing stores. They only use quality Australian standard products. Stick with selling food.’
Lead can be harmful to people of all ages, but unborn babies, infants and young children under five are at the highest risk.