New App to Warn Consumers

New App to Warn Consumers

CHRISTCHURCH, 4th February, 2013

A free smartphone app is being launched today to help warn consumers about dodgy products.

The Product Recalls app has been developed by Christchurch company Mogeo and provides a real- time list of product recalls being overseen by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. The app also helps users to report an issue.

In 2012 there were 22 food recalls and 68 consumer product recalls ranging from a child carrier seat to a cordless kettle.

“Any additional ways to notify the public of recalls should be welcomed” says Martin Rushton, Principal Advisor for the Measurement and Product Safety Service at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

“Notifying customers of product recalls can be a challenging task. While traditional channels such as newspapers advertisements are useful; for some smaller, cheaper product recalls, a company might be lucky to reach a significant of customers that have purchased the item.”

Managing Director of Mogeo, Adam Hutchinson states that “by using new technology and channels such as this free smartphone app, we hope it becomes easier for consumer to stay informed”.

“Companies have been more proactive in recalling faulty products in recent years. Most of these recalled products are due to poor or inadequate design, and can in some instances represent a real danger, especially baby and children’s products.” Hutchinson says.

With a global increase in the use of smartphones, it’s hoped that this can be one channel to assist in keeping consumers safer and informed about potential hazards.

To download the free app to your smartphone, visit either:

Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mogeo.productrecalls.home iPhone https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/product-recalls-nz/id587084151?ls=1&mt=8

Or for 2013 users can text the word RECALLS to 5002 (texts are free) to get the links to the app stores. For more information visit www.productrecallsapp.co.nz/

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