Media Release

Health concerns over BBQ fuel unfounded

16 November 2007                                                                                                                                                                   

Solid Energy has fully investigated a complaint about contamination of an imported barbeque briquette product.  This included two separate independent assessments of the product since the company received a complaint from Steve Curran of North Shore late last year.

Assessment of the imported “Sizzlers” product by the Ministry of Health carried out in August this year concluded that any health risks associated with using the briquette product for its intended purpose as a barbeque fuel are negligible.  Recent further analysis by CRL Energy Ltd supported the Ministry’s findings.

“The safety of our products is of crucial concern to Solid Energy and we appreciate Mr Curran bringing the matter to our attention,” says Craig Smith, General Manager of Solid Energy’s North Operations.

 “There is no evidence to suggest the briquettes represent a health risk, in fact following numerous tests the evidence is clear that the risks arising from the briquettes when used as BBQ fuel are negligible.

“Solid Energy takes all complaints, including Mr Curran’s, very seriously.  We have subjected this “Sizzlers” product to an extensive testing regime to ensure we are not supplying a product that might pose a health risk to purchasers. 

“All the Solid Energy staff involved in this matter have dealt with this complaint appropriately,” says Mr Smith.

“Clearly there were issues around the quality of the briquettes and as a result we are now sourcing the imported “Sizzlers” product from an alternative supplier.”