Shonkiest products of 2015 named

Wipes that don't disintegrate, pleather couches and Tiny Teddies all feature on this year's Shonky Awards list.

National Australia Bank

(File: AAP) Source: AAP

It's a list Coca-Cola, Arnott's, NAB, IKEA and Samsung would prefer to be left off.

Consumer watchdog CHOICE has branded eight goods and services as lemons at their 2015 Shonky Awards, after they left a sour taste in the mouths of Australian consumers.

Kleenex flushable wipes that don't disintegrate, pleather IKEA couches parading as the real deal and Arnott's "healthy" Tiny Teddies were among those named and shamed at the 10th annual Shonkys.

The awards were established in 2006 to unearth companies and organisations breaching product regulations or simply taking consumers for a ride.

CHOICE chief executive Alan Kirkland says offending trends are outrageous banking fees and charges, false food packaging and misleading claims about product capabilities.

"There's a simple rule about doing business in Australia, and that's don't tell lies about your products and services," Mr Kirkland said.

"We're calling them out because we think they are telling lies and we want to see that change."

Over 400 products and services were nominated, with the awards ceremony expected to return next year.

2015 SHONKY AWARD WINNERS

* Samsung for failing to advertise their faulty top loader washing machine recall on television.

* Kleenex for claiming their kids flushable cleansing cloths disintegrate when they do not. Choice have referred the company to the ACCC over the claims.

* Coca-Cola for funding the Global Energy Balance Network - a not-for-profit organisation using "the science of energy balance" to end obesity.

* The entire payday lending industry for preying on vulnerable customers with high interest loans.

* IKEA for advertising polyester and polyurethane couches under the "leather sofas and armchairs" section of their Australian website.

* NAB for raising rates on their low-rate credit card and for failing to pass on the full 2.5 per cent rate cut to credit card customers since 2011.

* Nanosmart for claiming their $50 laundry balls allow the customer to wash without detergent when water alone does a better job.

* Arnott's for creating their own school canteen-approved logo for their 100s and 1000s Tiny Teddies packaging, which are classified as confectionery and not recommended under national canteen guidelines.


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