Kmart faces legal action over OXX nail glue burn risks

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has initiated legal action against Kmart in the Federal Court, alleging the retailer sold millions of bottles of OXX brand nail glue without adequate safety warnings regarding burn risks.

Court documents state that the glue can trigger a chemical reaction when it comes into contact with fabric, causing steaming, smoking, or melting. This reaction can result in severe injuries, including third-degree burns that have required hospitalization and skin grafts for some consumers, including children.

The ACCC alleges that Kmart breached consumer law by selling seven varieties of the product without disclosing these risks, despite receiving over 50 customer complaints between August 2017 and December 2024. While Kmart updated its packaging in December 2024, the watchdog claims the retailer continued to sell existing stock without warnings until February 2025.