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www.thecai.ie
JULY / AUGUST 2020
Give summer 2020 your best shot with
Consumer Choice
MONEY LIFESTYLE PRODUCT TESTS
BACK-TO-SCHOOL COSTS COLLECTIVE REDRESS FRIDGE FREEZERS
SWITCHING ENERGY PLANS HOME COMPOSTING TUMBLE DRYERS
MONEYLENDING RULES FOOD SUSTAINABILITY DIGITAL CAMERAS
www.thecai.ie
The
Consumers'
July / August 2020
Association of Dear Member,
Ireland
This issue reflects how there are quite a number of changes Should these not also be reviewed in terms of what we have and,
The Council is the coming down the line in relation to consumer protection. Food rather than rewriting the entire book of law, look firstly to insisting
policy-making body and packaging is again under scrutiny; the inadequate rights and upon action in the area of existing enforcement and dispute
of CAI. Members are protections in the digital economy are about to change; GDPR resolution mechanisms by those who should? Consider this in
elected from within penalties will be enormously increased and entirely inadequate terms of the shambolic treatment of consumer entitlements in
the CAI's membership legal provisions have been reviewed in deep detail; and the means terms of Covid-related travel refunds and cancellations. Still,
at the Annual for collective redress actions are, well, at the EU level at least, finally four long months after losing the ability to travel, thousands of
General Meeting. being supported with a preference that this be done through consumers remain waiting for refunds, vouchers and resolution of
independent consumer associations. their entitlements under the provisions of consumer law and, for
Council many, for money they paid out in 2019.
Members Key to provisions and protections is effective enforcement. At the
heart of this lies the importance of specific and detailed actions The Consumer Omnibus Directive is long awaited and very much
Chairperson to be taken when a breach occurs. Across the European Union, needed. However, is it not a clear fact that, in Ireland, we need a
Michael Kilcoyne there are daily breaches which, because of a lack of specifics in the compensation fund to provide for consumers whose taxes provide
Vice-Chairperson drafted Regulations, the out-of-pocket consumer is left to rely on only for less than adequate enforcement of the laws they depend
Raymond O'Rourke
Small Claims Court actions, lengthy complaint processes requiring upon when paying for goods and services?
Hon Secretary
review and decision by ombudsmen, mediation and adjudication
Elaine Bolger
Hon Treasurer through alternative or online dispute resolution platforms and
Richard Donohue schemes.
Council Members
Steen Bruun-Nielsen
James Wims
Our Reports Consumer Choice Published Material
Reports in Consumer Choice are based on Consumer Choice is published by No part of this publication may be reproduced,
market research, laboratory tests or user the Consumers' Association of Ireland stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
surveys, all of which are independently and (CAI) Limited, a wholly independent, non- any form without obtaining prior permission
scientifically conducted. Free goods are government, non-profit making body. CAI from the Council by contacting the Consumer
never accepted for testing – all samples was founded in 1966 to protect and promote Choice office. It may not be used for any form of
are purchased. Occasionally items may be the interests of the consumers of goods and advertising, sales promotion or publicity.
borrowed for review purposes only. services, and to enhance the quality of life for
The reports are produced in the main consumers. CAI is registered with charitable © Consumers’ Association of Ireland 2020
by our own Editorial staff. Some material status: CHY 8559. ISSN 0790-486X
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commercial advertising it is not swayed by all cancellations must be advised, by letter or Policy and Council Advisor
bias or influence and can point out advantages email only, a full 30 days in advance. Where Dermott Jewell
and flaws in goods and services that other a bank applies a €24 chargeback fee for a
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will deduct same from any refund requests. To
Reports on any article relate only to the Denzil Lacey (Zava Media)
subscribe please write to:
articles or goods mentioned, and not to any
other article of the same or similar description.
Consumer Choice,
Managing Editor
We do not necessarily price or report on all Clodagh O'Donoghue
120/121 Baggot Street Lower,
brands or models within the class, and the
Dublin 2
exclusion of any brand or model should not be Researchers
taken as a reflection on it. Róisín Moloney Weekes
Tel (01) 659 9430
Email cai@thecai.ie Atousa Motameni
Social Media: www.thecai.ie
1 www.thecai.ie July / August 2020
Contents www.twitter.com/The_CAI
www.facebook.com/
ConsumersAssociationIreland
20 Back-to-School Costs 28 Digital Cameras
MONEY FOOD & HEALTH PRODUCT TESTS
6 Money News 12 The EU’s Farm to Fork 26 Ebook Readers
The latest developments in Strategy Get stuck into a good ebook
money matters, including new Proposed changes across the EU with a new Kobo or an up-
moneylending rules aimed are aimed at improving the sus- dated Kindle.
at strengthening consumer tainability of food production and
protection. supply.
28 Digital Cameras
Take your best shot with a Choice
20 Back-to-School Costs Buy digital camera.
Consumer Choice examines 14 A Good Grilling
the financial pressures faced Avoid barbecue blunders with food
by households with school- safety advice from safefood. 34 Fridge Freezers
going children heading into With bigger weekly shops, our
the 2020/2021 academic year. fridge freezers are under greater
pressure than ever…but which
ones are up to the job?
22 Power Switch LIFESTYLE
Consumer Choice investi- 39 Tumble Dryers
gates consumer options in 16 Walk This Way Our seven Choice Buy tumble
Ireland’s electricity and gas Step-by-step instructions for dryers turn in a great perfor-
market and how to switch improving your walking mance.
provider if you are not get- technique.
ting the best deal.
18 Home Composting –
COUNCIL A Beginner’s Guide
Consumer Choice digs into the
10 The Need for Access to dos and don’ts of home compost-
Justice and Mechanism ing.
for Supporting the
Consumer
Consumers can benefit
significantly from a collective
redress mechanism and the CAI
can play a key role in this long-
sought means of resolution.
34 Fridge Freezers
2 www.thecai.ie July / August 2020
News Briefs by Dermott Jewell NEWS BRIEFS
More Than A Game
It was in April that Nintendo reported that as many as
Keeping Us Up To Speed
Just one day after outages in the UK, customers here re-
160,000 of its users, with Nintendo network identifying ad-
ported 4G outages across the country on the Vodafone
dresses (NNID), had been affected by a data breach. In other Ireland network. Customers took to social media advising
words, the accounts had been hacked with the potential for how they could only access slower internet speeds and it
malicious fallout to the account holders. What has subsequent- became clear quite quickly that it was not an isolated prob-
ly been clarified was how that originally quoted figure was lem. Vodafone issued advice that it was experiencing an in-
terruption to its mobile services. Later, a spokesperson for
off, significantly so, and the numbers affected were actually
Vodafone advised that the outage had been resolved, but
in excess of 300,000. What is most concerning regarding the they gave no detail or explanation as to what was its cause.
illegal hack is that it was not the company that uncovered the The outage in the UK resulted in customers being unable to
fraudulent activity but the users who discovered and reported make or receive calls but they were still able to use text and
that their accounts had been accessed from remote locations mobile data.
In the previous month, Vodafone had advised
across the globe. Many had money deducted from their cards
that the Covid-19 pandemic had led to a dramatic shift in
or PayPal accounts registered with their NNID accounts. consumer behaviour that included a 50% increase in voice
Nintendo launched an investigation and discovered that mon- traffic volumes and a 50% increase in data usage on desk-
ies illegally deducted were used to purchase Fortnite V-Bucks, tops or fixed terminals. It has to be said that the systems
an in-game virtual currency that the hackers could use or sell underpinning our engagement, with few exceptions like
these, delivered exceptionally well and consumers really
on for profit. Nintendo advised that it would be refunding all
did get good value for money from their packages. Con-
affected account holders. In addition, it disabled the NNID gratulations to all those hidden in the background keeping
login system and replaced it with a new and more robust the technology fit for purpose.
two-step verification structure for security and support.
ANIMAL, MINERAL AND TECHNICAL
Dublin-based start-up Drop was established in 2012 to develop smart-kitchen software. The company has just received funding of
almost €12 million to make a total of €20 million in funding since its inception. The company now employs more than 40 people
in offices in Dublin, San Francisco and Zaragoza. So, how does it work? Drop has created a platform that enables home cooks
and bakers to connect their favourite recipes with smart appliances in their kitchens. To back this up, technology has been inte-
grated into appliances made by companies that include market leaders such as Bosch, Electrolux, Kenwood and GE Appliances
and across the full spectrum of appliances from coffee machines to ovens and from blenders to fryers. Consumers connect their
smart appliances to their Drop profile, the platform will adjust the recipes to match that appliance and provide that consumer with
the correct times, temperatures and settings to follow a recipe or adapt it for a specific number of portions. It also allows users to
convert their favourite recipes into a single format and store them all in one place. Gone are the days of a shilling for the meter
and, apparently, an innate kitchen appliance!
July / August 2020
www.thecai.ie www.thecai.ie 3
July / August 2020
Low Mileage: One Previous Owner (Unusual taste
in music, father of two, likes…………..)
Surveys carried out in the various countries to cars hired, leased and sold. A recent
have shown a serious lapse of attention Which survey found that a very high number
from consumers in removing or deleting of owners were not deleting detail, which
their data from devices and tablets offered would include home address, passwords and
free for use in hotels and resorts. By way sensitive personal detail, from their cars prior
of avoiding unexpected call costs or data to sale or return. The apps that are available
download charges on their own devices, now facilitate remote door opening, starting
many consumers upload their data, contacts and tracking of a car and its location and so
and preferences to these devices without it is of primary importance that it is deleted
ensuring that they delete them before and removed to restore the car to its original
departure. The same, very much, applies settings.
Hotel? Crikey!
Courtesy of our Australian colleagues at website. In January this year – ruling on
Choice magazine there, I noted an inter- a case taken in 2016 – the Federal Court
esting court case taken against Trivago, found that Trivago breached the Austra-
the hotel web comparison site. This lian Consumer Law by making misleading
service promises to find you the cheapest claims. It was stated that “By prominently
rates available for the hotel room, making displaying a hotel offer in ‘top position’
the consumer choice a simplistic and posi- on its website, Trivago represented that
tive expense in terms of value for money. the offer was either the cheapest avail-
You would think that all right. However, able offer or had some other extra feature
as outlined in Choice, what the service that made it the best offer when this was
really does is find you the cheapest room not often the case”. The penalties against
among the providers that pay it the most Trivago have yet to be declared. Good on
money for including their hotels on the ya, Cobbers!
A (non-tech) Stinging Blow
Malaria remains to be one of the greatest in the spray is Perlite. Perlite is mined and, mammals. And, more importantly, studies
health risks to humans across the world. as a raw material, it contains water trapped and testing have shown that mosquitoes
The mosquitoes that spread the disease by the rapid cooling of lava. The moisture have no resistance to it. A controlled study
are proving more and more resilient and vaporises explosively when heat is applied. It showed that units treated with the volcanic-
resistant to the more commonly used is most commonly used in building materials glass spray resulted in the largest mosquito
insecticides. A team of researchers from and in gardens as a soil additive. This new mortality rates. Results showed mortality
North Carolina University has come up insecticide, Imergard WP, can be applied rates of mosquitoes alighting on Imergard
with a new spray that has shown promise in to interior walls and ceilings as an indoor WP-treated walls were greater than 80% up
controlling the disease. It is a spray, for use residual spray. Key to its formulation are the to five months after treatments, and 78% at
indoors, made of a combination of volcanic proven findings that no additional chemicals six months.
glass and water. The volcanic glass used are needed, making the spray non-toxic to
July / August 2020
www.thecai.ie July / August 2020
www.thecai.ie 4
FOOD & HEALTH/News by Clodagh O’Donoghue Food & Health High sugar content in pre-mixed spirits and cocktails Recent UK research on the growing category addition, just 63 of these products (41%) of the ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages of pre-mixed spirits and cocktails has found had any form of nutrition information on studied – from zero in a number of instances, that these beverages can contain very high the packaging and nine out of ten products including Tesco Triple Distilled Vodka With levels of sugar but often provide little or provided no information on sugar content Lime and Lemonade, to a whopping 59g or no information on the packaging to alert – so, for 91% of these beverages, consumers 15 teaspoons of sugar, the equivalent of four consumers. Known in the trade as ‘ready-to- were left completely unaware of the large iced doughnuts, in a large 700ml bottle of drink’ alcoholic beverages, these products amounts of sugar they were drinking. These Blue WKD. This finding clearly demonstrates comprise of an alcoholic drink and a mixer products can sidestep EU regulations on that it is possible to make these drinks with sold pre-mixed in either a can or a bottle. mandatory lists of ingredients and nutritional less sugar. Feeding into the ‘grab-and-go’ culture, these information on packaging because of their This research is important given beverages focus on convenience and market alcoholic content. the role that excessive sugar consumption statistics show that sales of these products The study further found plays in contributing to overweight and are growing faster than wine, beer, or spirits discrepancies with portion sizes, given obesity levels and related health conditions, sold for consumption outside licensed that volume-per-can/bottle ranged from such as type 2 diabetes, various cancers and premises. Given the increasing popularity 200ml to 700ml, with some manufacturers tooth decay. Action on Sugar concludes its of these pre-mixed drinks, UK organisation even suggesting that one small 250ml study with recommendations for government Action on Sugar conducted a study of 202 can would contain two portions. Such a and drinks manufacturers as well as for ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages and, using lack of consistency creates confusion and consumers, who are urged to look for independent laboratory analysis, found that incorrect assumptions of suitable portions nutrition labelling and compare products in some cases there was up to nine teaspoons sizes for consumers. Moreover, the study to choose better alternatives or to seek out or 36g of sugar in a single 250ml can. In found huge variation in the sugar content low-calorie and low-alcohol options. Effects of air pollution on asthma rates in the over-50s Although concerns in relation to asthma identified in two ways – participants were can contribute to the risk of developing often centre around children, the over-50 asked if they had been given a diagnosis of asthma and the severity of the condition for age group was a focus of a recent study asthma and the study additionally checked those who suffer from it. To date, research into the effect of air pollution on asthma if the individuals were using any asthma has focused on the risk to children, with less rates. Conducted by the Economic medications, such as inhalers. Overall, 9% evidence of possible risks to older adults. and Social Research Institute (ESRI), the of the participants in the 50-plus age group Even though levels of air pollution are research analysed data from the Irish reported an asthma diagnosis and 6.9% relatively low in Ireland compared to many Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) on reported using relevant medications. Having other countries and rarely exceed standard 8,162 adults over 50 years old in Ireland and controlled for personal characteristics that regulatory limits, the new ERSI study found combined information on these individuals’ might affect the likelihood of having asthma, significant links between NO2 exposure socioeconomic background and health such as age, sex, history of smoking and and higher asthma rates among over-50s conditions with estimates of annual average education level, the study found that living in in Ireland. Further research is needed to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations an area with higher NO2 concentrations was demonstrate if air pollution causes asthma around their home addresses. NO2 is one linked to an increased probability of asthma. or makes it more severe for older groups but of a number of pollutants emitted by motor Asthma affects more than 300 the current findings suggest that this may be vehicles and so is often used as an indicator million people globally, making it the world’s the case. of transport-related air pollution generally. most chronic respiratory condition, and Respondents with asthma were there is growing evidence that air pollution 5 www.thecai.ie July / August 2020
MONEY NEWS
Money News Money News by Clodagh O’Donoghue
“The high-cost warning requirement for
New Moneylending advertisements for moneylending loans
Rules To Strengthen with an APR of over 23% will come into
Consumer Protection effect on 1st September 2020.”
In June, the Central Bank of Ireland and a number of new requirements will an unlicensed moneylender. The Central
announced a number of new regulations be put in place for people working in the Bank provides a register of licensed
for moneylenders aimed at providing sector in order to enhance professional moneylenders on its website at http://
better protection for consumers and standards. If a loan is required for registers.centralbank.ie/. The issue of
enhancing professional standards in the basic needs, such as accommodation or exorbitant interest rates charged by
moneylending sector. Consumers of electricity bills, then the moneylender must moneylending services, which can be as
licensed moneylending services must tell the consumer that a moneylending high as 287% when collection charges are
be made aware of the high-cost nature loan may not be in their best interest and included, has been raised by the Society
of the loans on offer and so, under the contact information for the Money Advice of St Vincent De Paul and other groups
new measures, prominent warnings must and Budgeting Service (MABS) must be seeking better protection for consumers
feature on all advertisements for loans with provided. who are struggling financially. The Central
an APR of more than 23% and consumers These regulations are set to Bank points out that it has no statutory
must be prompted to consider lower-cost take effect on 1st January 2021 but, power to impose a market-wide cap on
alternatives. in recognition of the serious financial interest rates and that this is a question
Other new rules introduced by difficulties that may be experienced by for the Oireachtas as it would require a
the Central Bank will have the effect of people as a result of the Covid-19 health legislative amendment.
restricting moneylenders’ contact with emergency, the high-cost warning
consumers and limiting the promotion requirement for advertisements for
of loans to consumers, giving greater moneylending loans with an APR of over
control to consumers to decide when they 23% will come into effect on 1st September
want to be contacted by a moneylender. 2020.
Importantly, moneylenders will not be Given the high interest rates
allowed to make an unsolicited offer to often charged on moneylending loans,
apply for credit to consumers who have the Central Bank’s Director of Consumer
recently fully repaid or are nearing full Protection Gráinne McEvoy urges
repayment of a moneylending loan. consumers to consider other options
Moneylenders will have to ensure that their before using the services of licensed
marketing strategy is fair and reasonable moneylenders and to never borrow from
Covid-19 Payment Scam Warning
The Department of Employment Affairs whereupon they are asked to enter their bank account information from customers
and Social Protection has been warning bank account details. This link has nothing as part of a written application. Consumers
the public not to disclose bank or other whatever to do with the Department of need to be aware of this fraudulent activity
financial details in response to text messages Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and ensure that they keep their bank and
purporting to relate to the Covid-19 payment. which urges people not to click on the link or other financial account information safe and
A new scam has emerged in which members reply to the text. The Department states that private. If you think you may have provided
of the public receive a message on their it will never request bank account or other personal information in response to one
mobile phone from an unknown number financial institution account details by phone of these scam text messages, you should
telling them that they are entitled to the or on social media and nor does it ever seek contact your bank immediately.
Covid-19 payment and inviting them to click to clarify or check this information over
on the ‘socialwelfareireland’ link provided, the phone. The Department only accepts
www.thecai.ie July / August 2020
6 www.thecai.ie
Fall In Energy Supplier Switching Rates
In April, energy supplier switching rates switches in April 2020 reached the lowest supplier every year for the last four years
fell to their lowest point in seven years, level recorded since December 2013, when could have saved €704 on gas, €1,097 on
according to the Commission for Regulation there were 16,204 electricity switches electricity or €1,696 on their dual fuel costs.
of Utilities (CRU) Customer Switching and 6,308 gas switches. It is believed that The CRU strongly recommends
Report for the Electricity and Gas Retail the significant year-on-year reduction in that customers review their energy bills
Markets. During the month, there were switching numbers is at least partially and look at offers from other suppliers
17,843 switches in electricity, down from related to the onset of the Covid-19 public that may be cheaper using accredited
23,882 switches in April 2019 – a decline health emergency in Ireland in March, with price comparison websites. It stresses
of 25%. Moreover, April 2020 saw 6,141 consumers understandably not focused that switching is free of charge and easy
switches in gas providers, compared with on some aspects of their household bills. to do and that the savings gained may
9,921 switches made in April 2019 – a drop However, there are substantial savings be significant. On page 22 of this issue,
of 38%. These decreases in switching to be made on energy bills, with the CRU Consumer Choice examines what is on offer
levels follow similar drops in March. In estimating that customers who switched in the Irish energy market and how to switch
fact, the number of electricity and gas supplier or renegotiated with their current suppliers where a better deal is available.
The ‘It Makes Sense’ Loan
Consumers in receipt of social those receiving welfare payments
welfare payments may feel they in cash or through a standing order/
have little option when looking direct debit for those receiving
for a loan other than to turn to a welfare payments into an account.
moneylender, but their local credit The Household Budget Scheme
union may be able to provide a far- spreads the cost of household bills
preferable alternative in the form by enabling you to pay regular
of an ‘It Makes Sense’ loan. The It amounts towards your bills directly
Makes Sense scheme is an initiative from your weekly social welfare
on offer at participating credit payments. Some credit unions
unions that provides loans of small will only consider loans that are
amounts of money at low interest repayable through this scheme.
rates, with the aim of reducing Every application will be
borrowers’ dependence on high- considered on its own merits and
cost loans from moneylenders. social welfare recipients will not
It Makes Sense loans are automatically be entitled to a loan.
available to anyone aged over 18 Potential borrowers will need to
years who receives a social welfare show a capacity and a willingness
payment who may not be able to to make the repayments and the
secure a loan or credit from any local credit union can decide
other source. Loan amounts range whether or not to grant a loan.
from between €100 to €2,000, with Consumers who are not already
a maximum interest rate of 12% or members of their local credit union
12.68% APR. These loans must be can be signed up very quickly,
repaid within a maximum period once they can show that they live
of two years and can be used for or work in the area, and they can
any purpose, including repaying an then be immediately considered for
outstanding debt on a high-interest an It Makes Sense loan. For more
loan. information on how to apply and a
Borrowers must agree list of participating credit unions, go
to pay the loan either through the to https://itmakessenseloan.ie/.
Household Budget Scheme for
July
July//August
August2020
2020
7 www.thecai.ie
www.thecai.ie
Product/Tech News
Food waste turned into clean energy
In June, Tesco Ireland announced plans to use renewable gas sent for processing to Green Generation’s €2.5-million anaerobic-
generated from food surplus to power six of its stores across the digestion plant in Nurney, Co. Kildare, where it will be converted into
country. Tesco claims that its initiative is a first among Irish retailers renewable gas. This will then be fed into the gas network at a facility
and that it will help to reduce the company’s carbon emissions by in nearby Cush, from which Tesco will buy the renewable gas outputs
1,200 tonnes a year. Renewable gas, sometimes called biomethane, via energy supplier Naturgy. Thus, Tesco will be both supplying
is a clean, carbon-neutral fuel that is produced using a process waste for conversion into renewable gas and using the clean energy
known as anaerobic digestion that breaks down food waste and other produced.
waste products. It offers a promising alternative to natural gas and The initiative is facilitated by Gas Networks Ireland, which
its potential as a renewable fuel for transport, heat and electricity, as invested €1.7 million in the dedicated renewable gas entry point
part of a move to a low-carbon economy, is well recognised. in Cush and is planning to develop larger gas entry points across
Much of Tesco Ireland’s food surplus is donated to its charity Ireland in the coming year as part of a project to fully decarbonise the
partner, FoodCloud, for redistribution and now leftover food will be country’s gas network by 2050.
Coffee capsule recycler
A new device could offer a simple way of recycling coffee pods at home. Our independent product tests have
shown that coffee capsule machines consistently deliver a convenient and flavoursome caffeine hit but the
environmental impact of pods may weigh on our collective conscience. Recycling pods is tricky due to the
difficulty of separating the plastic and aluminium components from the coffee grounds inside – although this is
perfectly possible, it is a time-consuming and fiddly exercise. Recycling programmes are on offer by Nespresso
and other manufacturers but instead of having to store capsules to have them collected or deliver them to
specific locations, it would be preferable to be able to dismantle these small items at home and dispose of all
components appropriately.
It is with this in mind that UK manufacturer Dualit has developed the EcoPress, a new gadget that
turns used Nespresso or Nespresso-compatible pods inside out so that they can be easily rinsed out and then
popped into your recycling bin. Our colleagues at Which have tried this device out and found that it is indeed very
simple to use, involving little more than popping the used capsule inside, replacing the lid and pushing down. You
may need two hands and a degree of pressure will have to be applied, but testers found it reasonably easy to do
overall. They did note, however, that once turned inside out, the capsules have sharp, jagged edges so users will
need to be careful when rinsing them out. The container below the EcoPress can collect coffee grounds from ten
pods before it will need to be emptied, and these can be put into your brown bin or added to a compost heap. The
EcoPress can be washed either by hand or on the top rack of the dishwasher. If this sounds like an appealing way
to assuage any environmental guilt you may have about using coffee capsules, the Dualit EcoPress is available
online for £12.50 (€14 approx.).
The products featured on these pages have not been tested by the Consumers’
Product News by Clodagh O'Donoghue
Association of Ireland and their inclusion here is not, in any way, an endorsement of them.
8 www.thecai.ie July / August 2020
European app to the rescue
Euro NCAP has further contributed to the of an accident. Time is critical immediately gathering together crucial details on how
area of car safety by launching its Euro following a traumatic injury and every to extricate occupants swiftly and safely
Rescue app, a new and vital source of second counts in the ‘golden hour’ during and ensuring that no time is lost in finding
information for emergency first responders which there is the highest likelihood that the correct rescue sheet. The information
attending the scene of an accident. Since prompt treatment will prevent death. provided on the app includes the location of
1997, Euro NCAP – the European New Car Developed by Euro NCAP in collaboration various components, such as airbags, and
Assessment Programme – has worked with the International Association of Fire high-voltage electrical cables and batteries,
to drive innovation in vehicle safety and and Rescue Services, the Euro Rescue app all of which could pose a danger to trapped
the testing organisation is focused on not is aimed at saving first responders vital occupants and to the rescuers themselves.
only preventing crashes and minimising seconds by providing them with quick and The app can be downloaded for free onto
injury in the event of a collision but also on straightforward information regarding the both Android and iOS devices and it can be
enhancing post-crash safety. construction of the vehicle to help safely used online and offline, so that rescuers can
As vehicles become increasingly remove occupants from the wreck. access the information even when network
advanced and complex with alternative The key benefit of the app is that coverage is poor or non-existent. The app
fuel systems incorporated, it has become it centralises all the information provided is currently available in English, French,
crucial that emergency responders know by vehicle manufacturers in their rescue German and Spanish and will be available in
what they can and cannot do at the scene sheets and emergency response guides, all European languages from 2023.
Bouncing baby
Sleep-deprived new parents may be will play, with parents able to choose
tempted to check out Cradlewise, a from a number of gentle music options
smart cot system that claims it will via an accompanying app that can be
automatically rock your baby back downloaded onto an Apple or Android
to sleep if they wake up during the device. This app can be used to send
night. The crib acts as a real-time baby alerts to the parent when the baby is
monitor, using its built-in night-vision waking or record sleep analytics, such
camera and microphone to track your as hours slept. In addition, the app can
baby’s sleep patterns, with artificial act just like a regular baby monitor,
intelligence (AI) software helping to allowing parents to watch and listen
develop, over time, a sleep profile for to their baby in real time. Parents can
your baby that includes typical bedtime manually control the bed-bouncing
and wake-up times. action either using the app or by
If the baby shows signs of pushing down on the bed to start it
waking prematurely, such as opening bouncing and holding it down for five
their eyes or moving around more, then seconds to stop it. The key aim of
Cradlewise will automatically start to Cradlewise is to soothe babies before
gently bounce its bed up and down, they start to cry as, once the crying
mimicking the way a parent might rock actually starts, getting an infant back
a baby in their arms to soothe them. to sleep is a much greater challenge.
Simultaneously, the cradle produces Priced at $999 (€885 approx.), this
white noise from a built-in speaker, smart cradle can be used from birth as a
which ceases along with the bouncing bassinet and then, as the baby grows, it
once the AI system detects that the can be converted into a cot by lowering
baby has gone back to sleep. At this the bed so that it becomes suitable for
point some light instrumental music toddlers up to 24 months.
9 www.thecai.ie July / August 2020
Council/Collective redress
The Need for Access to Justice and
Mechanism for Supporting the Consumer
Collective Redress Our focus has been outlined on b) It would enhance the options open to
In November 2009, the Consumers’ every occasion on what, in our opinion, are consumers whose rights have been infringed.
Association of Ireland (CAI) made a the advantages of group or collective actions Consumers in Ireland can pursue individual
submission to the then Government calling for consumers as well as business and the claims through the courts but this can be
for the introduction of a collective redress economy. very costly and time consuming. Where the
mechanism for consumers in Ireland. It is potential compensation is under €2,000, they
important to mention that this was the latest a) It would provide a cost-effective and can make a claim through the Small Claims
call by the Association in an engagement that efficient legal mechanism for large numbers Court. In some sectors, consumers can
we commenced in the 1990s. This has long of consumers or those acting on their behalf pursue their claim through alternative dispute
been established in a number of Member whose rights have been infringed or who resolution procedures. And, of course,
States and has proven to be of enormous have been the subject of unfair commercial they can make a complaint to a number of
power in resolving disputes, common to many practices to seek redress when individual ombudsmen and/or regulators. However,
consumers, caused by a single, and often action through the courts would be costly not all sectors are covered and the power of
dominant, provider in the marketplace. and time consuming. While consumers have ombudsmen/regulators can be limited.
In 2018, following years of the right to pursue a claim on an individual
engagement at European Commission level, basis, the high cost of legal, court and expert c) The harmed consumers would benefit. In
the issue began to receive the attention it fees they would incur is likely to outweigh any many cases in Ireland where companies or
deserved and the CAI, together with all BEUC compensation they would receive. Examples business are found to have breached the law
member associations, renewed our lobbying could include claims taken by large numbers and acted inappropriately, fines and penalties
at national level. Here in Ireland, we met of consumers who have been overcharged are imposed by the courts or regulators.
with representatives at the Department of by telecommunications companies, those However, the consumers who have been
Justice and Equality, we engaged directly suffering from food poisoning as the result harmed are not compensated for loss. In
with Minister Flanagan, we reviewed and of actions by a food company, concert-goers Portugal, a telecommunications company
revised our outline submission document claiming sectors of the economy are colluding was found to have overcharged customers
and submitted it to the Department of Justice to keep prices high, or airlines imposing unfair over a number of years – in total, two million
and Equality and the Department of Business, charges and fees. customers were affected. As the result of
Enterprise and Innovation. a group action case taken, the company in
www.thecai.ie July / August 2020
July / August 2020 www.thecai.ie 10question agreed to offer compensation to f) Group actions would act as a deterrent representative actions, each Member State
those who could produce bills and 70,000 against breaches of consumer law and will need to designate “qualified entities”. EU
came forward and received compensation. unfair commercial practices. In certain countries have to ensure that, in particular,
However, the vast majority of consumers circumstances, a business or trader may consumer associations can get a status of a
could not produce bills and the company be tempted to act unfairly (e.g. overcharge) qualified entity (Article 4).
was also required to offer free calls to all in the knowledge that even if a number of The lists of the qualified entities
consumers over a number of weekends as affected consumers individually complain and will be communicated to the European
compensation for the overcharging. secured compensation, the business may still Commission and made public both at national
gain from the unfair practice. However, if the and EU levels. The courts or administrative
d) Legal action should always be a last business or trader considered that they might authorities shall accept this list as proof of
resort and the CAI would always acknowledge be subject to a group action from all or most the legal standing of the qualified entity to
the benefit of affordable mediation and of the affected consumers, they would be less bring a cross-border representative action.
arbitration procedures to settle consumer likely to engage in the unfair practice. Member States will be obliged to ensure that
complaints. However, evidence from other procedural costs do not prevent qualified
jurisdictions suggests that unless these g) If businesses act unfairly and make entities from seeking injunctions or redress
are backed up by effective legal redress unjust and illegal profits, they are not only measures (Article 15). As examples, Member
they are not taken seriously by traders and infringing the rights of consumers, they are States may provide public funding, including
businesses. If a trader believes there is no or gaining an unfair commercial advantage over the structural support for the qualified
little likelihood that a consumer can or will competitors who are abiding by the law. If entities, the limitation of applicable court or
take them to court, then they can ignore these these actions go unchecked, they distort the administrative fees, or access to legal aid.
procedures. The lack of collective redress market, undermine consumer confidence and
procedures has been identified as one of the impede fair competition. What next?
institutional barriers preventing access to the Member States will have 24 months to
courts. transpose the Directive. We will now seek
engagement to begin discussion with the
e) Group actions and collective redress relevant Department officials for update
is about more than seeking restitution and on the planned means of progression and
compensation – it is about enforcement the role that the Consumers’ Association
and creating a culture of compliance with of Ireland will play in this long-awaited and
consumer rights. In our view, it would long-sought means of resolution and access
complement and enhance the existing to justice for the Irish consumer.
consumer protection infrastructure and act
as a form of regulation driven by consumers
themselves. Regulation is too important to be
left to public regulators. However, for legal,
financial and regulatory reasons, regulators
are not always in a position or appear Dermott Jewell
reluctant to pursue actions against those July 2020
who harm consumers. We should seek to Progress at long last?
develop a regulatory system that empowers In recent weeks, we have direction from the
consumers to hold traders, businesses and European Commission, which, potentially,
companies to account alongside regulators brings cause for celebration. On June 23rd,
through court action if necessary. approval was reached for a law that would
allow all citizens in the European Union to
go to court as a group if they have suffered
the same damage. In terms of scope, the
Directive will apply to representative actions
brought against infringements by traders of
provisions of EU law, and also as transposed
into national law, that harm or may harm the
collective interests of consumers. It has broad
coverage that includes general consumer
law, product liability, passenger rights, data
protection and e-privacy, financial services,
pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
Legal standing for the CAI
The Directive obliges all Member States to
have representative action mechanisms,
which allows qualified entities to bring
representative actions for the purpose of
both injunction and redress measures. For
the CAI, the key required enactment provision
is that, to have a legal standing to bring
www.thecai.ie July / August 2020
July / August 2020 www.thecai.ie 11FOOD & HEALTH / Food sustainability
The EU’s
Farm to Fork Strategy
The CAI’s Raymond Consumer Choice readers will have heard
much in the past months about the
In terms of food waste, the
EU calls on countries to reduce food
O’Rourke outlines EU’s Green Deal, a programme aimed at
making all EU actions more sustainable
waste at each stage of the food supply
chain, establish food waste prevention
proposed changes in line with the UN Sustainability programmes as part of their annual
aimed at improving Goals. Throughout 2020, the European
Commission will be publishing sectoral
general waste prevention programmes
and encourage food donation. With the
the sustainability of strategies with proposed measures to data provided by Member States’ waste
help achieve that goal. In May 2020, the prevention programmes, the EU in 2022
food production and Commission published its Farm to Fork will propose legally binding targets to
supply. Strategy, which aligns with the Green
Deal targets by advocating a fundamental
reduce food waste across the EU.
On food packaging, the
change in the way agriculture operates Commission will revise the food contact
and how food is produced for, and materials legislation to support the use
provided to, EU consumers. of innovative and sustainable packaging
In relation to agriculture, the solutions using environmentally-friendly,
Strategy sets concrete targets to be re-usable and recyclable materials
reached by 2030, which include a 50% contributing to food waste reduction.
cut in the use of pesticides, a 20% cut in Relating specifically to the
the use of fertilisers, a 50% reduction in consumer and their position in the food
sales of antimicrobials used for farmed supply chain, the EU foresees a number of
animals and aquaculture, and a target to proposals that would impact on existing
increase the size of the EU’s agricultural mandatory food labelling requirements in
land dedicated to organic farming to 25%. the EU.
12 www.thecai.ie July / August 2020Sustainable food labelling Date marking decide on the format of front-of-pack
framework Misuse and misunderstanding of date nutrition label they would use on their
Consumers are more and more seeking marking leads to food waste (‘use by’ date products. With different Member States
sustainable food options but a BEUC is used on highly perishable foods and supporting different schemes, sadly
survey (June 2020) found that the lack of ‘best before’ date is used on other foods). the Commission seems once again to be
information meant that they find it hard A study carried out by the Commission leaving the issue of critical nutritional
to make choices between different foods in 2018 estimated that up to 10% of food information on food labels to be agreed
as to their sustainability credentials. The waste generated annually in the EU is in contravention of public health
Strategy proposes a new overarching linked to date marking. The Commission recommendations. The danger is that,
EU law establishing rules for all actors therefore will revise EU rules on date once again, food companies will be able
along the food chain in order to establish marking to take account of this consumer to continue to ‘mask’ foods high in fats,
sustainable food systems. At the research. sugars and salt to the detriment of the
consumer level, the Commission will health of European consumers.
examine ways to harmonise voluntary Mandatory front-of-pack nutrition In conclusion, the Consumers’
green claims and to create a sustainable labelling Association of Ireland (CAI) supports the
labelling framework that covers, in Current food consumption patterns are proposals in the Farm to Fork Strategy on
synergy with other relevant initiatives, unsustainable from both health and food waste, food packaging, sustainable
the nutritional and environmental environmental points of view. While in food labelling, animal welfare labelling
credentials of food products. the EU, average intakes of energy, red and date marking. On the other hand,
meat, sugars, salt and fats continue to the CAI has major concerns over the
exceed public health recommendations, Commission’s proposals on mandatory
consumption of whole-grain cereals, front-of-pack nutritional labelling – we
fruit and vegetables, legumes and nuts is believe they may not come to pass and
insufficient. we will be left with the present situation
In order therefore to assist where the nutritional information on
consumers to make informed and healthy front-of-pack labels is very confusing for
food choices, the Commission suggests consumers. The CAI will make its views
introducing harmonised mandatory known to the Commission in the coming
front-of-pack nutrition labelling. months at the proposed stakeholder
The Commission published a public consultation on mandatory front-
report on front-of-pack labelling along of-pack nutritional information.
with the Strategy – the report noted
that front-of-pack nutritional labelling
has the potential to help consumers
make healthy food choices and that
harmonised mandatory front-of-pack
nutrition labelling at the EU-level could Raymond O’Rourke
help inform these decisions. The French Consumers’ Association of Ireland
NutriScore labelling scheme is supported July 2020
Animal welfare labelling by our colleagues in BEUC as the scheme
Better animal welfare improves animal that should be chosen. On the other
health and food quality, reduces the need hand, Sweden and Denmark use a front-
for medication and can help preserve of-pack Keyhole nutritional logo. We here
biodiversity. The Farm to Fork Strategy in Ireland are in a dilemma as some food
proposes to revise the existing EU animal products utilise the front-of-pack ‘traffic
welfare legislation, including that on lights’ scheme established in the UK,
animal transport and the slaughter whilst the majority choose a Guideline
of animals. Most importantly for Daily Allowance (GDA) front-of-pack
consumers, the Strategy notes that the scheme devised by industry in opposition
Commission will consider mandatory to the ‘traffic lights’ scheme.
rules on animal welfare labelling. The Commission notes at
Voluntary animal welfare labelling exists this stage that they would not be
at present in some Member States – e.g. recommending any specific scheme but
Germany – and there are a plethora will first launch an impact assessment
of animal welfare voluntary schemes on the different options and solicit input
and logos used on food labelling. New from stakeholders through a public
EU rules would certainly offer clarity consultation. Alas, this sounds like
to consumers on this important issue the same arguments utilised against
when purchasing food, as the voluntary the ‘traffic lights’ scheme when it was
schemes and logos vary considerably first introduced many years ago. The
in relation to animal welfare standards, Commission failed to agree on a specific
which is confusing for consumers. mandatory front-of-pack nutrition label
but instead left it to food businesses to
www.thecai.ie July / August 2020
13FOOD & HEALTH / Food safety
A Good Grilling…
The basics of barbecue food safety
Keep a cool head as you stand over the hot coals
REPORT by Clodagh O'Donodghue
with food safety staying top of mind.
With our travel options limited this be thoroughly washed before starting food involves some unique challenges,
summer, many of us will be holidaying at any food preparations and frequently particularly in terms of controlling the
home and, when weather permits, this throughout the process, especially heat and avoiding ending up with burnt
could involve breaking out the barbecue after working with raw meat, poultry or offerings that are still raw on the inside.
to enjoy some alfresco feasting in the fish. Meat and chicken are often key It is vital that poultry, pork and minced or
garden. Food always seems to taste components of barbecues and need to be skewered meats are cooked thoroughly
better outdoors and temperatures only handled correctly to avoid endangering until they are piping hot throughout. With
have to rise a little to tempt us outside your guests. If you are using chicken in steaks, harmful bacteria live only on the
for mealtimes. It may be fun to take a your barbecue, do not be tempted to wash surface and are destroyed by searing
break from routine by eating out in the it first as this can spread food-poisoning at a high heat, so you can serve them
open but food safety is a serious business bacteria around your kitchen, spraying it pink on the inside according to taste. In
and it is important not to relax all the key onto surfaces, worktops, chopping boards, contrast, because burgers are made up
hygiene and safe cooking practices that utensils, clean dishes or food that might of minced meat, the bacteria are present
you follow when in your own kitchen. To be in the vicinity. Once chicken and meat on the inside as well as the outside, and
avoid your barbecue ending in tears due to are cooked properly, all harmful bacteria so undercooked burgers could make you
a nasty bout of food poisoning, all-island are destroyed, so washing is not necessary seriously ill – this means that they must be
organisation safefood offers some helpful and will likely do more harm than good. If cooked to well done at all times.
advice. you are marinating meat or poultry, it is Finally, the potential for cross
very important that the marinade is not contamination must remain top of mind, so
Meaty matters then poured over vegetables or cooked make sure that raw meat and poultry and
We all now have a heightened awareness meat as it will contain raw meat bacteria their juices are kept well away from cooked
of hand hygiene and this needs to remain – it can only be used as a sauce if it is items and ready-to-eat food, and separate
a focus as we handle raw meat and brought to a rolling boil before serving. utensils and dishes should be used to avoid
prepare food for others. Hands need to Using a barbecue to cook the spread of harmful bacteria.
14 www.thecai.ie July / August 2020Seven tips for a safe barbecue
Safe barbecuing involves taking extra care
with meat and poultry along with some
other food-safety practices to ensure that
everyone can enjoy their meal without
suffering any unpleasant food-related
illness afterwards. Seven tips from safefood
for best-practice barbecuing are provided
below.
1. Keep perishable foods like salads,
coleslaw and quiche in your fridge until
you are about to serve them as germs can
multiply quickly once temperatures rise.
2. Burgers, sausages and kebabs, pork and
poultry must be cooked all the way through
- but steaks can be served 'rare' as harmful
bacteria are on the outside only (and not in
the centre).
3. If you like to marinate your meat, make
sure any marinade used on raw meat is not
then used as a sauce to coat vegetables
or cooked meat as it will contain raw meat
bacteria.
4. If you choose to barbecue any frozen food, it must first be completely thawed on the bottom shelf of your fridge before
you cook it.
5. When handling raw meat and poultry, wash your hands
thoroughly and frequently, most importantly before going
on to prepare salads and other ready-to-eat foods.
6. Once your meat is cooked thoroughly, make sure to keep
cooked meat separate from raw meat and to use separate
chopping boards, cooking utensils and plates.
7. If there are leftovers from your barbecue, allow the food
to cool before refrigerating, but make sure to refrigerate
food within two hours of cooking. Always remember with
leftovers – if in doubt, throw them out.
In general, warmer weather and the opportunity to eat outside brings some additional food safety considerations into play. Getting out
of the kitchen means getting into some extra hygiene habits. So, whether you are hosting a barbecue in the garden or packing a family
picnic to make the most of the great outdoors, a wealth of information and advice is provided on safefood.eu, where you will also find a
range of tasty and healthy barbecue recipes plus ideas for salads, smoothies and more.
15 www.thecai.ie July / August 2020Lifestyle/Walking benefits and techniques
Walk This Way
Consumer Choice explores some surprising benefits of walking and
provides step-by-step instructions for improving your walking technique.
to fit into a daily routine and requires no walkers did get sick, it was for a shorter time
REPORT by Clodagh O'Donoghue special equipment apart from a sturdy and their symptoms were less severe.
pair of shoes. Walking helps with weight
You will likely have heard of research in loss as it burns calories and can reduce Curbing sugar cravings
recent years that indicates that sitting may body fat. It also lowers blood pressure and Not only does walking contribute to weight
be more harmful than smoking but, on the blood sugar levels and improves circulation, loss, but it can also tame a sweet tooth,
plus side, many detrimental effects of long strengthening the heart and warding off encouraging better food choices. Two
hours on the couch or at the computer can heart disease. But beyond these well- studies from the University of Exeter found
be offset by the simple exercise of walking. recognised benefits, studies in recent years that a 15-minute walk can curb cravings for
Few forms of exercise are as accessible, have indicated some other, perhaps more chocolate and other sugary snacks and can
affordable and beneficial, given that regular surprising, payoffs. even reduce the amount of chocolate eaten
walking can help prevent everything from in stressful situations.
heart disease and type 2 diabetes to Reducing joint pain
depression and memory problems. Going Walking can help protect the joints, Improving mental health and
for a walk has taken on new significance in including the knees and hips, because creativity
recent months as it has been one of the few it helps to lubricate and strengthen the Studies have demonstrated that walking
activities consistently available to us as the muscles that support them. Several studies can improve your mental health, reducing
country shut down and we all stayed close to have found that walking can reduce pain for anxiety, depression, and a negative
home. If you have got into the habit of going those living with arthritis and that walking mood, while boosting self-esteem, social
for a daily walk, now might be the time to five to six miles a week may help to prevent interaction and cognitive function. As well
improve your technique to reap even greater arthritis from developing in the first place. as clearing your head, walking can help
rewards. And if the pleasures of walking you think more creatively. Researchers at
have so far passed you by, there is no time Boosting the immune function Stanford University conducted a number of
like the present to get off the sofa and get It appears that walking can help safeguard experiments that compared people trying
into your stride. you during cold and flu season. A study to come up with new ideas while they were
involving more than 1,000 participants found walking or sitting and found that, across the
Health benefits that those who walked at least 20 minutes a board, creativity levels were consistently
As we all know, any physical activity is day at least five days a week had 43% fewer and significantly higher for those walking
beneficial for your health and walking is sick days than those who exercised once compared with those sitting. The study
particularly appealing as it is free, easy a week or less. What’s more, if the regular found that although walking in the open
16 www.thecai.ie July / August 2020You can also read
