Author: Bill Doogue
Practice area: White Collar
Bill is a founding Director of Doogue + George, ranked by Doyle's Guide as a Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyer in Victoria (2026) and an LIV Accredited Criminal Law Specialist since 1998 with over 30 years of experience in complex criminal and corporate matters. His depth of experience in this area means clients receive accurate, considered advice.
View full profile →Bill authored this content and last revised it for accuracy on 5th August 2026.
What is the offence of Contaminating goods causing public alarm or economic loss?
Contaminating goods causing public alarm or economic loss is an offence under s 249 of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic). It concerns contaminating goods where the contamination is intended to cause public alarm or anxiety, or to cause economic loss, through the public becoming aware of the contamination.
Key points
- Prosecution must prove contamination of goods and intention to cause public alarm/anxiety or economic loss through public awareness.
- Conduct can include interfering with, harming, polluting, or otherwise contaminating goods.
- Usual court: Strictly indictable offence heard in the County Court.
The maximum penalty for Contaminating goods causing public alarm or economic loss is level 5 imprisonment (10 years) or a level 5 fine (1200 penalty units or $250,920), or both.
Common defences may include the goods were not contaminated; lack of intent to cause public alarm or economic loss.
Have you been accused of Contaminating Goods Causing Public Alarm or Economic Loss? This is a serious allegation which may result in a prison if not handled properly. You should contact our office and make a time to speak with one of our experienced criminal defence lawyers about what to expect during the investigation and court process.
Police Interview
Have you been contacted by Police in relation to an allegation of Contaminating Goods Causing Public Alarm or Economic Loss? It is important that you get legal advice before you attend a Police Interview to make sure that you understand your rights.
The Police will interview you because they are looking for information to prove the charge. One of our lawyers can provide you with tailored advice about how to handle the police interview depending on the unique circumstances of your case.
You may decide to have one of our experienced lawyers attend the police interview with you. Some people feel comfortable knowing that someone is present looking after their interests.
Pleading Not Guilty
We realise that not every allegation is true just because the police say it is. We are dedicated defence lawyers who vigorously defend our clients in court who contest their charges. If you decide to plead not guilty to Contaminating Goods Causing Public Alarm or Economic Loss, you want one of our lawyers on your side to protect your interests and guide you through the complex court system.
We carefully check the brief of evidence, looking for gaps in the case against you. Sometimes the Police miss evidence that supports your defence. We can conduct our own investigation to best fight your case.
Pleading Guilty
You might decide to plead guilty to a charge of Contaminating Goods Causing Public Alarm or Economic Loss. There is a lot of preparation that can be done to achieve the best result possible. We work with you to understand your background and to gather character references to present in Court. We understand the importance of making sure that your story is told.
Examples of Contaminating Goods Causing Public Alarm or Economic Loss
- A worker in a food processing factory posts a video of themselves urinating in the product
- Someone sprays chemicals on an organic crop and publicly posts that the organic crop is contaminated
Defences
- The goods were not contaminated
- You did not intend to cause public alarm or economic loss
There are other possible defences, depending on the circumstances surrounding the alleged offending. Each matter is unique and requires an individual approach and strategy.
Questions in cases like this
- Can they prove that you contaminated any goods?
- Can they prove that you intended to cause public alarm or economic loss?
Maximum penalty and court that deals with this charge
The maximum penalty for Contaminating Goods Causing Public Alarm or Economic Loss (s249 of the Crimes Act 1958) is level 5 imprisonment (10 years) or a level 5 fine (1200 penalty units or $250,920 as at 2026-2027), or both.
This is a strictly indictable charge which means that your case must be heard in the County Court.
Legislation
The section that covers this offence is section 249 of the Crimes Act 1958.
What is the legal definition of Contaminating Goods Causing Public Alarm or Economic Loss ?
Contaminating goods is when the contamination was intended to cause public alarm or anxiety, or economic loss through the public becoming aware of the contamination.
Was there contamination?
What can you be sentenced to for this charge?
Contaminating goods causing public alarm or economic loss can be a very serious offence, for example if the contamination is widespread or extreme and causes severe public alarm or causes a business to lose a large sum of money. In this case, you may face a prison term if you are found guilty. However, in the case that the contamination is not widespread and only upsets a few people, you would be more likely to face a fine.
