Kmart Gel Pack Recall: Anko Gel Paks Recalled Over Toxic Chemical

If you bought a gel pack from Kmart recently, you might want to check the label. On January 9, 2026, Kmart Australia and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced an urgent recall of Anko Small and Large Gel Paks after discovering they may contain ethylene glycol – a toxic substance used in antifreeze. The recall covers products sold across Australia, and the good news is that getting a refund is straightforward.

Recall date: January 9, 2026 ·
Toxic substance: Ethylene glycol ·
Affected products: Anko Small and Large Gel Paks ·
Retailer: Kmart Australia ·
Regulator: Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) ·
Customer contact: 1800 124 125

The key facts from the official recall notices are summarised in the table below. Six data points, one pattern: a single toxic contaminant triggered a swift regulatory response with a clear consumer remedy.

What has been recalled from Kmart?

Kmart Australia recall of Anko Small and Large Gel Paks

On January 9, 2026, Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia’s medical products regulator) posted a market action notice: Kmart Australia Ltd is recalling its Anko Small Gel Pak and Anko Large Gel Pak because they may contain ethylene glycol, described as a toxic substance. The recall notice, also published on Kmart Australia’s official product recall page, instructs consumers to stop using the gel packs immediately and return them to any Kmart store for a full refund.

Reason: presence of toxic ethylene glycol

The hazard is chemical exposure. Ethylene glycol is a colourless, odourless liquid used primarily in antifreeze. According to the TGA (therapeutic goods authority), ingestion or skin contact can cause serious harm. The recall classifies the risk as chemical contamination rather than mechanical failure.

Regulatory action by Therapeutic Goods Administration

The TGA’s market action page identifies the recall as a voluntary recall initiated by Kmart Australia. The regulator’s involvement adds a layer of official oversight and means the product is effectively banned from sale until the issue is resolved.

What this means: a single contaminant turned a household comfort product into a health risk, and the TGA’s quick action sets a clear standard for consumer safety.

What are the specific products affected by the Kmart gel pack recall?

Anko Small Gel Pak (SKU 42010777)

The recall includes the Anko Small Gel Pak with product code 42010777. This is confirmed in the Kmart recall notice PDF which lists both SKUs.

Anko Large Gel Pak (SKU 42010784)

The larger version carries product code 42010784. Both sizes fall under the Anko brand, Kmart’s in-house label.

Where the products were sold

The recall is limited to products sold in Australia through Kmart stores. The TGA market action explicitly states the recall applies to gel packs sold in Australia.

The trade-off: clear product identification makes it easy for consumers to check their purchases, but the lack of sales volume data makes it impossible to gauge how widespread the risk is.

Why is ethylene glycol dangerous in gel packs?

Health risks of ethylene glycol ingestion and skin contact

Ethylene glycol is the active chemical in many automotive antifreeze products. According to the TGA (medical products safety body), it is toxic if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Symptoms can include dizziness, confusion, and kidney damage. Gel packs are often used near food or handled by children, heightening the risk.

Comparison to previous Kmart sand asbestos recall

This is not Kmart Australia’s first product safety crisis. In 2023–2024, Kmart recalled Anko branded play sand after asbestos fibres were detected. Both recalls involve Anko products and chemical hazards, raising questions about supplier oversight.

Regulatory limits and toxicity thresholds

There is no safe level of ethylene glycol in consumer products intended for repeated use. The TGA’s classification treats this as a serious recall, not a minor advisory.

The pattern: two chemical incidents in the same brand line point to a systemic problem in quality assurance, not an isolated mistake.

How do I get a refund for the Kmart gel pack recall?

Steps to return product to Kmart

1. Stop using the gel pack immediately. The TGA recall notice instructs: “Do not use the product.”
2. Return the product to any Kmart store in Australia. Kmart’s recall notice states you will receive a full refund.
3. No proof of purchase is required – the Yahoo Lifestyle Australia (news outlet) confirmed this from Kmart’s statement.

Contact information: 1800 124 125

If you cannot visit a store, call Kmart’s customer service hotline at 1800 124 125, available Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm AEST. Operators can arrange a refund or provide further instructions.

Refund or replacement options

The recall notice only offers a refund; no replacement is mentioned. Because the product is considered hazardous, Kmart is not offering an exchange.

Why this matters: the refund process is deliberately simple – no receipt needed – to encourage quick removal of dangerous products from homes.

Is the Kmart gel pack recall applicable in New Zealand?

Recall scope: Australia only

The recall is issued by Kmart Australia and regulated by the TGA, which covers Australia. There is no corresponding recall in New Zealand as of January 2026.

Relevance to NZ customers who bought online or during travel

If you purchased the gel pack online from Kmart Australia and had it shipped to New Zealand, the recall still applies – the product is unsafe. The Kmart recall notice does not exclude online orders.

New Zealand product safety agencies (Medsafe) potential actions

New Zealand’s Medsafe may issue a separate advisory, but as of now no action has been announced. NZ customers should contact Kmart Australia via 1800 124 125 for guidance.

The implication: for Kiwis, the absence of a local recall does not mean the product is safe – the same chemical risk exists, and returning it to a NZ Kmart may require extra steps.

Timeline: Key events in the Kmart gel pack recall

• Pre-2026: Gel packs sold in Kmart stores across Australia
• January 9, 2026: Kmart Australia and TGA announce recall of Anko Small and Large Gel Paks due to ethylene glycol contamination (TGA (recall notice date))
• January 2026 (ongoing): Customers advised to stop use and return products for refund
• January 13, 2026: Trade publication Inside FMCG reports on the recall (Inside FMCG (industry news))

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Expert and official statements

“The product is being recalled because the gel packs may contain ethylene glycol, a toxic substance.”

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia’s medical products regulator)

“At Kmart we take the quality and safety of our products very seriously, which is why we have issued a recall.”

Kmart Australia (official statement via recall notice)

The gel pack recall follows a pattern of product safety issues at Kmart Australia. The earlier sand asbestos recall in 2023–2024 involved Anko branded play sand that contained asbestos fibres. Together, these incidents suggest a recurring problem in the supply chain of Anko household products. For consumers, the immediate action is clear: stop using the gel pack, return it for a refund, and watch for further announcements. For Kmart, the challenge is to restore trust by tightening quality controls across its private label brands. For Australian regulators, the TGA’s swift response sets a benchmark, but the unanswered questions about how many units were sold and how the contamination happened leave room for broader reform. For every Australian family with a gel pack at home, the choice is simple: return it now, or risk exposure to a chemical that has no place in a household product.

For more on another safety issue, see the earlier Anko product recall involving a heated elbow wrap.

Frequently asked questions

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