[CONFIRMED SAFE] ALDI Easy Home Spiral Spring Mixer Tap (NI 183) :15 Times The Allowable Level of Lead Limit

neil on 10/07/2017 - 10:46
Last edited 26/07/2017 - 14:44

Update: Confirmed Safe

  • Tests on water run through a cheap Aldi tap ($79) from China have found up to 15 times the maximum allowable level of lead.
  • Sold 12,000. I believe this is from the recent sale from May/June and not the one from 2 years ago.
  • Bring back to ALDI if not installed.
  • If installed, don't use and wait for further instructions.

Update: ALDI 's instructions.

Unfortunately further testing is a lengthy process that can’t be short cut. Our third party accredited laboratory has committed to complete this testing by 31/07/2017. >If these results present any indication that a health risk exists for our customers, we will take appropriate action.
ALDI will always remove any product from sale if it is identified as a risk to our customers.

I guess the scarier thing is that taps are at risk from lead poisoning. Is this something consumers should worry about when buying cheap taps or taps online?

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Comments

  • Wampus on 10/07/2017 - 10:58

    I read this with interest and it shocked me as well. I usually trust Aldi's specials a bit more than this - in fact I was about to buy this particular tap but was stopped by the Mrs because it was "ugly"…

  • dasher86 on 10/07/2017 - 11:14

    Aldi products are starting to have a reputation of being recalled.. at least with my experience of them

    • Craze on 10/07/2017 - 15:22

      I'd notice quite a few recall notices in Aldi stores, hence why I haven't bought many things at Aldi. Having said that I'm now also concerned with my mixer tap from Ikea!

  • Kangal on 10/07/2017 - 11:20

    That looked like a decent tap to me when I first saw it.
    Glad I didn't get one for the mum.

  • MeesusEff on 10/07/2017 - 11:30
    +2

    Oh no, I've installed mine in the new place @.@ thanks for heads up

  • roundnumbersonly on 10/07/2017 - 11:42
    +1

    I was going to buy this too…I wonder if my cheap mixer I have at the moment is safe..

    • neil on 10/07/2017 - 11:52
      +1

      Same. I actually bought an ALDI tap mixer when it was on clearance but it was missing essential parts so got refund. Ended up buying a tap from an Australian eBay store but it's a unknown brand.

  • bob smith on 10/07/2017 - 13:14

    I've got this one from bunnings

    They look like the same thing, should i be concerned?

    • overkillxx on 21/07/2017 - 12:42

      interesting.. I got the same tap as you, but its no longer on the Bunnings website.

      here it is in Google cache:

      https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:PzQjiK…

      I literally as write this have both this bunnings tap & the aldi tap in question side by side… There is no doubt in my mind that these are both from the same manufacturer.. The Mondella (Bunnings) one does seem SLIGHTLY better made on the body where you connect the hoses too.. But You can't really tell 100 percent unless you iiterally cut it in half & could see inside.. Im also a bit dubious as to why this tap was pulled from Bunnings product line around the same time this announcement was made about its twin product from Aldi…

      In the manufacturing process Brass is used & they add around 2 percent (From what I read) into the brass to make it easier to machine.. I guess its fair to assume lead is alot cheaper than Brass so therefore the dodgy factories in china add more lead to the mixture… And that is where the increased lead contaminant is coming from…

  • Savas on 10/07/2017 - 19:48
    +1

    11 reasons why I love aldi

  • KaraZorEl on 10/07/2017 - 22:50

    We bought and installed this tap last month. I'm really furious that it passed the Australian safety standards with such a big flaw. I got my GP to write out tests to check lead levels, don't know how accurate that will be.

    Will be picking up a new tap tommorow. On a related note - where can I get my home water tested? I saw some DIY test kits online but ones with lead test are around $80. Has anyone used one?

    All news reports are asking to stop using the tap if installed, guess we'll be drinking from the bathroom sinks until we fix the new tap.

  • tranter on 11/07/2017 - 07:01
    +1

    Makes you wonder if any tap is safe. Fittings such as taps are often imported from China on a once off basis for apartment projects. I'm sure they aren't tested.

  • Joemertrix on 11/07/2017 - 10:35

    I was very annoyed to find this out in the news, we have been using ours for about a month now, its been a great tap besides the poisoning us slowly thing.
    So we went and bought a new tap yesterday with similar functionality and I installed it last night, unfortunately to the tune of about $350. (profanity) Aldi, last time I trust them, I assumed they would actually test products before selling them in Australia.

    • KaraZorEl on 11/07/2017 - 11:53
      +1

      Did you buy a similar tap? If so, could you please share the brand and model. We too liked this tap so am thinking of getting a similar one from Costco for around $150.

      • woiny on 11/07/2017 - 17:49

        I am thinking of buying a new tap from Costco too.
        When I checked it last time, it was around $130.
        Anyway, hope 'Joemertrix 7' share what he bought.

        • KaraZorEl on 12/07/2017 - 18:28
          +1

          We bought the tap from Costco, it's called Water-ridge pull down sink mixer. It was $119.99
          My partner is in the process of installing it. The water supply pipe is too long and doesn't quite bend well to fit under our sink, trying to troubleshoot that.

          This is the tap - http://imgur.com/a/p8cUq

          • Carbon Door on 31/03/2019 - 19:33

            @KaraZorEl: How did you find the mixer tap ? I am looking at purchasing one

  • neil on 11/07/2017 - 12:36

    From Gizmodo:

    Paul Harvey, a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Macquarie University says this problem is both not new, and more widespread than people realise.

    "Our data shows that new taps in Australia are generally non-compliant for lead concentrations at the time of installation and this is reflected in the elevated concentrations of lead in drinking water at kitchen taps across the country," Harvey says.

    "Consumers can readily purchase off the shelf products that contain very high concentrations of lead, up to 4.5 per cent, compared to the maximum allowable USA value of 0.25 per cent, with no warning labels or indication of potential hazards."

    That's not reassuring at all.

  • neil on 11/07/2017 - 12:40

    ALDI 's instructions.

    Unfortunately further testing is a lengthy process that can’t be short cut. Our third party accredited laboratory has committed to complete this testing by 31/07/2017. >If these results present any indication that a health risk exists for our customers, we will take appropriate action.
    ALDI will always remove any product from sale if it is identified as a risk to our customers.

    • woiny on 11/07/2017 - 17:51

      That's bullshit..How can I wait to another 20days without using water tap in kitchen?

      • DoctorCalculon on 13/07/2017 - 00:35

        Damn straight!
        Not to mention the fact, I had to pay a plumber to install the spiral spring mixer tap, which cost me more than the tap itself.
        I will be out of pocket again if and when I have to return this tap as I would be have to get a plumber to replace it. Damn you, ALDI, and your corner cutting Chinese manufacturers!!!

  • DoctorCalculon on 13/07/2017 - 00:44

    The SMH article mentions the model number to be: NI183ESCRT-AUD.

    I just double checked the instruction manual and the warranty card.
    • Brand Name: EASY HOME
    • Product Name: SPRING SPIRAL KITCHEN MIXER TAP
    • Product Number: 57581
    • Model Number: HH-0020

    I bought this from ALDI Chadstone on 10th June 2017 for $79.99.
    Could I please ask folks who have also purchased this mixer tap to check what the model number is on the Warranty Certificate?

    • fade on 13/07/2017 - 12:17

      Correct! I've got the exact same details on my warranty card. Bought it on 10th June 2017 from ALDI Tarneit.

    • 87percent on 13/07/2017 - 21:13

      So does that mean it can still be used?

      • overkillxx on 21/07/2017 - 13:21

        No.. It cannot.. I rang aldi.. It is the HH-0020 that is under investigation

    • MeesusEff on 03/08/2021 - 17:45

      Hi, just wondering if you still have the warranty card for this, my tap has just started spraying water everywhere and I forgot how long the warranty is for.

      • MeesusEff on 03/08/2021 - 22:16

        Nvm, just saw the photo you linked below, thanks!

  • Looking4Bargians on 26/07/2017 - 14:35

    Aldi confirms kitchen taps are safe to use.

    http://www.theage.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/aldi-conf…

    • neil on 26/07/2017 - 14:45

      Have updated. Big stuff up by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.

      • DoctorCalculon on 27/07/2017 - 14:11

        Please update the thread title to reflect the correct model number.

    • DoctorCalculon on 27/07/2017 - 14:10

      The model number reported is once again incorrect. It is HH-0020, and not the older model that went on sale last year (NI183ESCRT-AUD).

      • neil on 27/07/2017 - 14:22

        According to the ACCC Product Safety:

        Model No. NI183ESCRT-AUD/Product Code 57581

        • DoctorCalculon on 27/07/2017 - 14:38

          I am pretty sure ALDI would be the authoritative source for the correct model number.
          Please see here: https://ibb.co/dOfHEk

          Also, have a look at the date at the bottom of the photo (June 2017).

        • neil on 27/07/2017 - 14:57

          @DoctorCalculon:

          I think they are all the same as per the product code 57581.

          • The QBBC tests were on the NI183ESCRT-AUD.
          • ALDI states they tested the ones that were on sale in June according to the ALDI Facebook page.

          In any case, the ones sold in June and the ones sold last year are both safe.

  • MeesusEff on 01/08/2017 - 18:29

    Phew, its been a hard few weeks bringing the pots and pans to the laundry to fill up with water.

  • rolfejohn on 17/09/2018 - 11:03

    Hi, I'm a reporter who has written about this tap. Please be advised the QBCC and Queensland Health still have concerns. The QBCC continues to advise against using the tap. We published another story today. It says a woman who had been using the tap for a year complained of memory problems before the lead concerns became public. Please note: the full story is behind a paywall. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/companies/aldi-tap-mix…

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