Big W’s poor product recall record continues with the retailer’s latest house brand product recall — a blender that runs the risk of leaving broken blade pieces mixed in with food. Big W has now recalled nine separate products from its in-house Abode range of small appliances since May 2011.

According to a recall statement issued by the ACCC, the Abode 1.5-litre Stainless Steel Blender features “metal blades [that] may break during use of the blender” and “if the defect occurs, broken blade pieces may become mixed with food or drinks, posing an ingestion and/or choking hazard”.

The product can be identified by the model number HL-2080A on the base of the appliance, and was available in both Red (keycode 8322574) and Silver (keycode 8294269). The recalled blenders were sold in Big W stores nationally from 14 November 2012 to 29 August 2013.

Customers are advised to stop using the product immediately and return it to any Big W store for a full refund.

This is the second Abode blender to be recalled by Big W in two years and the ninth small appliance. Previous appliance recalls were enacted due to the risk of, amongst other problems, “ingestion hazard”, “fire hazard” and “electric shock hazard”.

Woolworths Limited, parent company of Big W, has previously responded to Appliance Retailer’s request for comment on the retailer’s recall record — the worst amongst appliance brands in Australia.

“The safety of the products our customers use is of paramount importance to use which is why we ensure all our products go through multiple quality assessments,” a spokesperson for the company told Appliance Retailer in April this year. “Where a fault is found…we take steps to investigate and rectify those issues.”

The spokesperson said recalls were a result of Big W’s “internal end-to-end quality management program” which has seen the retailer “thoroughly investigate” potential problems and take steps to reduce “customer inconvenience”.

Big W’s Abode recall record:

25 May 2011: Abode 2000W Oscillating Fan Heater (NFE20O) is recalled because “the affected units could potentially cause smoke, fumes and fire”.

10 October 2011: Abode Multi-Functional Blender (HY-6068A-1) is recalled because “if damaged, the rubber seal may possibly mix with food and pose an ingestion hazard”.

12 March 2012: Abode 2000W Oscillating Fan Heater (NFE20O) is recalled againbecause “incorrect internal crimping may result in the wiring and crimp connector overheating, causing a fire hazard”.

10 July 2012: Abode 3L Stainless Steel Deep Fryer (DF30BW) is recalled because “the handles may detach if the product is lifted while containing oil, possibly causing serious burn injuries if hot oil splashes on the user or bystanders”.

9 August 2012: Abode Electric Blanket (BA111/211/212) is recalled because “the control cord may fatigue and cause an internal short circuit or overheating”.

13 December 2012: Abode Convection Oven (HG-A11) is recalled because “The internal wire connectors may come into contact with the plastic enclosure, creating a potential fire hazard”.

21 February 2013: Abode 2 Slice Toaster (KT-3023A) and a 4 Slice Toaster (KT-3083A) are recalled because “The product may pose an electric shock hazard to consumers”.

9 September 2013: Abode 1.5-litre Stainless Steel Blender (HL-2080A) is recalled because “metal blades may break during use…[and] broken blade pieces may become mixed with food or drinks, posing an ingestion and/or choking hazard”.