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Aldi Australia has confirmed a kitchen tap alleged to have up to 15 times the maximum allowable level of lead is safe for use.
The German discount chain conducted additional testing on the Easy Home spiral spring mixer after independent testing commissioned by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission found water from the tap contained excessive levels of lead, earlier this month.
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In a video posted on Facebook, Aldi CEO Tom Daunt confirms additional testing on the Easy Home spiral spring mixer has found it safe for use.
"Our teams have worked tirelessly with authorities and independent testing laboratories to confirm that the tests conducted prior to sale were accurate, and the product is safe," said Aldi Australia chief executive Tom Daunt.
"I was alarmed by the claims suggesting that the spiral spring mixer tap ... may contaminate drinking water."
Mr Daunt said the QBCC's "prematurely published statements" were based on tests that were not conducted in accordance with the Australian Standard.
"We are disappointed that so many Aldi customers were provided information that generated such unnecessary concern and inconvenience."
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The kitchen tap was sold in Aldi stores around Australia for $79.99 as part of a "special buy" offer on June 10. The model number affected was NI183ESCRT-AUD.
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Prior to hitting supermarket shelves, Aldi had confirmed the product was certified by the national WaterMark Certification Scheme, a mandatory scheme for plumbing and drainage materials managed by the Australian Building Codes Board.
The Easy Home tap, sold at Aldi in June this year. Photo: Supplied
Paul Harvey, a postdoctoral researcher in the department of environmental sciences at Macquarie University, previously told Fairfax Media evidence of lead was not unusual in household taps on the Australian market.
"Around 99 per cent of taps in shops have some lead brass in them," he said, adding that kitchen tap fittings today were a primary source of drinking water lead contamination.