A popular glass flip pickle jar sold at Kmart and Target across Australia has been urgently recalled after the company confirmed it can explode under fermentation pressure. The Anko jar, beloved by home fermenters and pickle enthusiasts, was pulled from shelves when testing revealed that gas buildup during food fermentation can cause the glass to shatter violently.

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Recall number: PRA2025/20458 ·
Dates sold: 15 February 2023 – 3 March 2025 ·
Hazard: Glass jar may break under fermentation pressure ·
Recall announcement date: 20 March 2025 ·
Affected brand: Anko (Kmart, Target Australia) ·
Action required: Stop use immediately, return for full refund

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact number of units sold during the recall period remains undisclosed (1News)
  • No specific count of injury incidents has been made public (1News)
  • Whether Kmart plans to redesign the jar for future sale is unconfirmed (1News)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Consumers must immediately stop using jar and return for full refund (Kmart Official Recall PDF)
  • Return to any Kmart or Target store in Australia (Kmart Official Recall PDF)

The recall covers a two-year sales window and follows confirmed injuries from the defect.

Key facts about the Anko glass flip pickle jar recall
Product name Anko Glass Flip Pickle Jar
Brand Anko (Kmart)
Recall number PRA2025/20458
Hazard Glass breaks under fermentation pressure
Dates sold 15 February 2023 – 3 March 2025
Recall issued 20 March 2025
Refund policy Full refund at point of purchase
Legal notice Consumer product safety recall

Why was the Kmart pickle jar recalled?

The hazard of fermentation pressure buildup

The Anko Glass Flip Pickle Jar is a two-compartment glass container designed for storing fruit or vegetables in liquid. When food starts fermenting inside, yeast and bacteria produce carbon dioxide gas. Because the jar’s flip lid seals tightly, that gas has nowhere to escape—so pressure builds inside the glass wall. Eventually, the glass can fracture violently, sending shards flying. According to the Kmart official recall notice (product safety PDF), the hazard arises from “gas buildup that may cause the jar to break or the lid to become difficult to remove.” In worst cases, the jar can explode, creating risk of serious lacerations.

The catch

A jar meant for preserving food becomes dangerous precisely because the food is fresh and active. The flip-lid design eliminates the airlock that standard fermentation crocks use—a functional blind spot that turned a kitchen tool into a safety hazard.

Details from the official recall notice

Kmart issued the recall on 20 March 2025 after investigating reported incidents. Recall number PRA2025/20458 covers every jar sold between 15 February 2023 and 3 March 2025. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) listed the recall on its Product Safety Australia portal, confirming that injuries have already occurred because of the defect. 1News also reported that authorities confirmed injuries from exploding jars, though no precise count has been released.

The implication: this recall isn’t precautionary—it follows documented harm to consumers. Anyone still in possession of the jar is advised to act immediately.

Where can I find a list of recalled products?

Government recall databases in Australia and New Zealand

The most authoritative source is Product Safety Australia (the ACCC’s official product safety portal), which lists the Anko recall alongside hundreds of other consumer goods. New Zealanders can check Product Safety New Zealand (the government agency for product recalls). Both sites allow searches by product name, brand, or date range.

The pattern: government databases are the gold standard, but many consumers first hear about recalls through social media—the ACCC’s Facebook page (ACCC Product Safety) posted an urgent alert about this jar recall.

Bottom line: The ACCC and Product Safety Australia databases are the most reliable sources for recall information, but social media alerts from the ACCC spread the warning faster to consumers who may not check government portals regularly.

Do I get my money back if a product is recalled?

Refund policy for recalled items

Yes—Australian consumer law guarantees a refund for unsafe products. The Kmart recall notice states that consumers can return the jar to any Kmart or Target store for a full refund. No receipt is required. If the jar was a gift or purchased secondhand, Kmart’s customer service team handles those cases individually.

Steps to return the jar to Kmart or Target

  1. Stop using the jar immediately. Do not attempt to open it if the lid feels stuck.
  2. Wrap the jar securely in a bag or newspaper for transport.
  3. Take it to the nearest Kmart or Target store.
  4. Present the jar at the customer service desk. No receipt needed.
  5. You’ll receive a full refund on the spot.

If you can’t visit a store, call Kmart on 1800 124 125 (Monday–Friday, 7am–6pm) or Target on 1300 753 567, as listed in the Mountain Views Star Mail recall report.

What to watch

Kmart’s policy is clear—full refund, no questions asked. But if you’re outside Australia, check whether the jar was purchased via Kmart’s online store; international refund processes may require contacting customer service directly.

Bottom line: Kmart and Target must give you a full refund for the recalled jar, no receipt needed, and the process takes just minutes at the customer service desk.

What are three products that have been recalled?

Anko glass flip pickle jar

As covered, this product (code 43270095) is recalled under number PRA2025/20458 due to explosion risk from fermentation pressure. Sold from 15 February 2023 to 3 March 2025.

Anko children’s play sand (asbestos concern)

Separately, SafeWork SA issued a recall for Anko branded children’s play sand after asbestos was detected in certain batches. According to SafeWork SA (South Australia’s workplace health and safety regulator), the recall action advises consumers to stop use immediately and return the product. Short-term exposure risks are considered low, but the presence of asbestos in a children’s product drew significant attention.

Other Kmart recalls in context

Kmart has issued multiple recalls in recent years. While the jar and sand recalls are the most prominent in early 2025, the retailer has also withdrawn items like certain baby products and electrical goods. The Product Safety Australia database lists all current Kmart recalls in one place.

Why this matters: two Anko-branded products recalled within a short window signals a pattern—consumers should check their homes for both items, particularly if they bought homewares or children’s supplies from Kmart recently.

Does anko sand have asbestos?

Details of the children’s sand recall

Yes—SafeWork SA confirmed asbestos contamination in certain batches of Anko children’s play sand. The SafeWork SA (regulator) recall update states that the sand was sold in bagged form for use in sandpits and craft activities. Specific batch numbers were identified as containing trace amounts of asbestos, though the regulator noted that casual, short-term exposure is unlikely to cause health problems.

Health risks of asbestos exposure

Asbestos is a known carcinogen when its fibres are inhaled over extended periods. The recall is precautionary—aiming to prevent prolonged exposure in children who might play with the sand regularly. Any consumer who purchased this sand should stop use immediately and return it for a refund.

The trade-off: a single product recall can feel manageable, but two unrelated Anko products failing safety tests within weeks raises legitimate questions about the brand’s quality control processes.

The upshot

For Australian families who bought both the pickle jar and the play sand, the immediate action is the same—stop using, return to store, get a refund. The broader question is whether Kmart’s Anko brand needs stronger pre-market safety testing.

Timeline of the recall

  • 15 February 2023: First date of sale for the Anko glass flip pickle jar
  • 3 March 2025: Last date of sale for the affected batch
  • 19-20 March 2025: Kmart issues urgent product safety recall; ACCC lists on Product Safety Australia
  • March 2025: Government safety agencies list the recall; social media alerts sent via ACCC Product Safety Facebook

What this means: the jar was on shelves for over two years before the recall—a window during which thousands of households could have experienced the hazard without knowing the risk was real.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Recall is active and covers all jars sold in the date range
  • Hazard is due to fermentation gas buildup causing glass breakage
  • Full refund available at Kmart or Target
  • Injuries have been reported (1News)

What’s unclear

  • Exact number of units sold
  • Specific count of injury incidents
  • Whether the design will be modified for future sales

Expert perspectives

Do you own this product? Glass Flip Pickle Jar [Anko] 43270095.

— Kmart official recall notice (Kmart Official Recall PDF)

IMPORTANT KMART RECALL! Kmart have issued an URGENT PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL on the Glass Flip Pickle Jar sold between 15/02/2023 – 3/03/2025.

— ACCC Product Safety Facebook post (ACCC Product Safety Facebook page)

The affected product can break when used to store certain fruit or vegetables in liquid.

— Product Safety Australia (Product Safety Australia Recall Ad)

For Australian households, the decision is straightforward: return the jar today. Keeping it in your pantry means storing a potential explosive device. The refund process is designed to be easy, and there’s no reason to take a risk with a product that has already injured people.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I return the recalled Anko glass flip pickle jar?

Take the jar to any Kmart or Target store in Australia. Present it at the customer service desk—no receipt is needed—and you’ll receive a full refund.

Can I get a replacement instead of a refund?

No. The recall notice specifies a full refund, not a replacement. Kmart has not announced any redesign or restock of this product.

Is the jar safe if I only use it for dry storage?

The recall applies to the product regardless of use. Because the hazard is linked to fermentation pressure, storing dry goods may be lower risk, but Kmart advises stopping use entirely.

What is the recall number for this product?

The recall reference number is PRA2025/20458, as listed on the Kmart recall notice and Product Safety Australia.

Where can I check if my jar’s batch is affected?

All jars sold between 15 February 2023 and 3 March 2025 are affected. Check the product code: 43270095.

Are any other Kmart flip jars under recall?

At the time of writing, only the Anko Glass Flip Pickle Jar (43270095) is recalled. However, check the Kmart product recalls page for updates.

What should I do if I already gave the jar as a gift?

Inform the recipient of the recall. They can return the jar for a refund, or you can contact Kmart customer service on 1800 124 125 to arrange a refund.

How does the refund process work in New Zealand?

New Zealand customers who purchased online from Kmart Australia should contact Kmart’s customer service line. For purchases through any local retailer, check Product Safety New Zealand for local recall information.

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