October 4, 2025
Tesco Stores Ltd v Pollard [2006] EWCA Civ 393
A 13-month-old child ingested dishwasher powder after opening a 'child-resistant' cap which complied with British Standards. The Court of Appeal held that Tesco was not liable under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, as the product's safety met public expectations. Facts The claimant, Ben Pollard, a 13-month-old child, was found with the cap off a bottle of Tesco’s own-brand dishwasher powder. He had opened the ‘child-resistant’ cap and ingested some of the powder, causing a corrosive injury to his oesophagus. The cap was of the ‘push and turn’ variety and complied with the relevant British Standard (BS 6652:1985), which was in
