Category: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is warning consumers not to consume mini jelly cups containing konjac as they may present a significant choking hazard, particularly for young children and the elderly. This alert follows thousands of similar products being seized and destroyed by authorities in Australia recently.

“We have reviewed the New Zealand market and identified a limited number of imported mini jelly cups containing ‘konjac’. This additive prevents jelly from easily dissolving and increases the choking risk,” says deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle.

These products are often packaged together in bags or noodle cups and are approximately 45mm or less in width and length. Konjac can also go by the name konjac powder, konnyaku, konjaku, conjac, glucomannan, taro flour/powder or yam flour/powder. 

“The concern is that the combination of jelly which does not easily dissolve and the way the product is consumed, by sucking it out of the container, makes these products particularly unsafe for children and the elderly to eat. 

“While there are no reports of injury in New Zealand, they have been linked to choking deaths overseas and are particularly risky for children and the elderly.

“Our message to consumers is not to consume mini jelly cups containing konjac and to take extreme care when consuming mini jelly cups made with other ingredients.”

New Zealand Food Safety has identified a small amount of imported mini jelly cups containing konjac and removed them from shelves. 

“We don’t believe there is a large amount of product for sale in New Zealand but will continue to monitor the issue and will remove any more product containing konjac we find.”

The warning does not include jelly products sold in pouches or other forms. These do not present as much of a risk as they are designed to be chewed rather than sucked.

Attached are examples of a mini jelly cup recently found in New Zealand. Note there are a variety of products, brands and shapes branded as mini jelly cups. The mini jelly cups have been imported and may be sold in ethnic food stores nationwide.

Download MPI Chief Executive Privileged Statement  [PDF, 363 KB]

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

An Auckland poacher who sold or attempted to sell fish he caught illegally 35 times, has been fined $15,000.

Timothy William Frost (30) was sentenced in the North Shore District Court on 2 charges under the Fisheries Act for selling or attempting to sell recreationally caught fish, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

“Our investigators found evidence of seafood sales or attempted sales on 35 occasions to various clients he had accumulated. This included high end species such as crayfish, pāua, snapper, along with grey mullet and kahawai.

“Selling or attempting to sell recreationally caught seafood undermines the legitimate seafood market. If you’re offered seafood at a price that appears too good to be true – assume it was probably harvested illegally. We’d advise not to buy it, and to let us know who offered it to you,” says Fisheries New Zealand regional manager, fisheries compliance Phil Tasker.

Mr Frost was under investigation by Fisheries New Zealand over his fishing activities throughout 2022. Compliance investigators found evidence of contact with around 8 regular clients between January and November 2022 and hundreds of dollars in sales. The amounts of fish varied but, in some transactions, Mr Frost’s clients would pay $480 for 60kgs of various fish. Others included paying $200 for 5 kg of pāua or 2 crayfish for $60.

“Mr Frost’s illegal fishing was motivated by financial gain. Poachers have no regard for the sustainability of our fisheries and the Quota Management System. They poach until they’re caught. When we find evidence of illegal fishing – we will take action and put the case before the court,” Phil Tasker says.

MPI encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24)

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is supporting Te Matuku Oysters Ltd in its recall of specific batches of its Premium Export Grade Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) as the products may contain norovirus.

“Norovirus is a common, highly contagious cause of foodborne illness in New Zealand, causing severe vomiting, cramps, diarrhoea, fever, and headaches,” says NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“Anyone can be made ill by norovirus, but the elderly and immunocompromised are particularly susceptible. Symptoms appear between 10 hours and 2 days after infection and can last up to 2 and a half days.

“These oysters should not be eaten raw. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Alternatively, you can cook the oysters until the internal temperature of the oysters reaches 90°C for 90 seconds to kill the virus. If that’s not possible, throw them out.”

The below products with use-by dates of 27.8.24 and 29.8.24 are included in this recall:

• Te Matuku Oysters brand Premium Export Grade Pacific Oysters – Crassostrea gigas (Oysters in Half Shell, 1 Dozen)
• Te Matuku Oysters brand Premium Export Grade Pacific Oysters – Crassostrea gigas (200g Oyster Meat)

The affected products are sold at selected retailers on Waiheke Island: RAW at Waiheke Fresh Fruit & Vege Market, and Waiheke Specialty Food. They have not been exported.

Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page for up-to-date information and photographs of the affected products.

Te Matuku Oysters brand Premium Export Grade Pacific Oysters in Half Shell and Oyster Meat

NZFS has received reports of potentially associated illness and we are investigating. 

“Norovirus is highly contagious so, if there is a sick person in your household or workplace, you should regularly clean and disinfect all surfaces, especially in the bathroom,” says Mr Arbuckle.

“Unwell people should avoid handling food. Everyone should also clean their hands with hot, soapy water. Alcohol-based hand sanitiser will not destroy the virus on its own.”

NZFS has tips on how to avoid norovirus infection on its website.

Norovirus infection: symptoms and advice

If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.

The products under recall were identified through working with people who became ill to determine the cause of their illness. Putaki Bay oyster farm is currently closed as we investigate the issue.

“NZFS is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh-monitoring programmes by NZFS to ensure they are safe to eat.

“As is our usual practice, NZFS will work with Te Matuku Oysters to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence,” Mr Arbuckle said.

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur.  Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the NZFS food recall page. 

Recalled food products list

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Safari Meats and SA Shop Limited in recalling all batches of 13 dried and cured meat products due to a lack of required food safety controls.

“The concern with these products is that the Christchurch-based company has produced them without the required food safety controls in place,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

All batches and dates of the following products are affected by this recall:

• Babbellas Mix
• Bacon Biltong
• Biltong
• Blades
• Cabanossi
• Chillibites
• Dollars
• Droëwors
• Droëwors Gluten Free
• Spicy Biltong
• Sweetsticks
• Venison Biltong
• Venison Droëwors

“These products should not be eaten. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If that’s not possible, throw them out,” says My Arbuckle.

The affected products are sold at the Safari Meats and SA Shop in Christchurch, through their online store, and at the following retailers:

• Biltong Plus, 273 Rodney Street, Wellsford
• Bin Inn Rolleston, 11 Tennyson Street, Rolleston
• Blenheim Mart, 33 Scott Street, Blenheim Central, Blenheim
• Gillies Automotive, 4 Ouse Street, Oamaru
• Ma Fullers SA Pantry, 174 Williams Street, Kaiapoi
• Morgan’s Road Food Market, 55 Morgans Road, Glenwood Timaru
• Produce Pals Fruit “n” Veges , 97 Archibald Street, Tinwald, Ashburton
• Rangiora Produce Market Ltd, 73 Ivory Street, Rangiora
• Safari Treats Nelson, 167 Hardy Street, Nelson
• The Saucy Saffa, 182 Gordon Road, Mosgiel

Affected products are not available in supermarkets.

Visit our recall page for more information on the affected products.

Safari Meats brand Various Ready-to-eat Cured Meat Products

Traditionally dried and cured products must be carefully controlled as the process of making them does not involve a high-temperature cooking step that kills bacteria like Salmonella and E.coli.

There have been reports of illness relating to these products, and we are investigating.

If you have consumed any of these products and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 61 11 16 for free advice.

The products have been removed from store shelves and have not been exported.

“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will work with Safari Meats to ensure appropriate food safety controls are put in place,” Mr Arbuckle said.

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur.  Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page. 

Recalled food products list

For more information, contact New Zealand Food Safety’s media team on NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz.

For general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Magnolia Real Limited is recalling specific batches of its Magnolia Dairy brand Fresh Whole Full Cream Certified Organic Raw Milk (unpasteurised), as the product may contain Campylobacter bacteria.

“The concern with this unpasteurised milk is that it may contain Campylobacter, a foodborne bacterium that can make you sick,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“The affected product is Magnolia Dairy brand Fresh Whole Full Cream Certified Organic Raw Milk with use-by dates between 13 August 2024 up to and including 25 August 2024.

The product was sold through a vending machine at Magnolia’s premises in Silverdale, Auckland. It has not been exported.

“This raw milk should not be consumed. Return it to Magnolia for a refund or, if that’s not possible, throw it out,” says Mr Arbuckle.

“You can also heat the raw milk until just boiling, or to 70 degrees, for 1 minute to kill any bacteria present before drinking it.

“Drinking raw milk carries inherent risks, as it may contain harmful bacteria that are killed through the pasteurisation process.”

Symptoms of Campylobacter infection are vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, headache, and body aches.

If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 61 11 16 for free advice.

The product under recall was identified through routine testing, and there have been no reports of associated illness.

Up-to-date details of the recall are available on our food recall page:

Magnolia Dairy brand Fresh Whole Full Cream Certified Organic Raw Milk (unpasteurised)

“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will be working with Magnolia Real Limited to understand how the contamination occurred and to prevent its recurrence,” Mr Arbuckle said.

Raw milk is not pasteurised, which means it misses out on an important process that kills harmful bacteria. Read more about food safety risk associated with raw milk on the New Zealand Food Safety website.

Is it safe to drink raw milk and eat raw milk products?

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur.  Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page. 

Recalled food products list

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand has temporarily suspended all Australian tomato imports, to be reviewed in 7 days, after the detection of tomato brown rugose fruit virus at 2 South Australian growing properties earlier this week.

“We met this afternoon with our counterparts in Australia, where they provided an update on their work to respond to the detection of the tomato virus,” says Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson.

“Australia is taking steps to respond to the matter, including continuing to trace material. As this tracing work continues, and out of an abundance of caution, we are extending our restrictions by temporarily suspending imports of tomatoes from Australia. We will review this in 7 days.

“This means temporary suspensions are now in place for tomato imports from all Australian states.”

Stuart Anderson says today’s decision builds on the urgent measures introduced by Biosecurity New Zealand earlier this week, which banned tomato imports from Australian states other than Queensland.

Biosecurity New Zealand takes action in response to Australia tomato virus find

“All our imported tomatoes from Australia currently come from Queensland and not South Australia.

“So far tracing has not shown any affected material in Queensland, but we think it’s reasonable to be cautious while our counterparts continue their work.

“There is nothing to suggest the virus is here at present,” says Stuart Anderson.

“We’ll continue to work closely with New Zealand’s tomato sector.

“As always we ask growers to check their biosecurity practices and be vigilant and contact us on our pests and diseases hotline (0800 80 99 66) if they notice problems with their tomatoes.

“We’ll continue to closely monitor the situation in South Australia and continue to take any actions to protect New Zealand growers.”

The virus affects causes yellowing and deformity in the host plants but has no impact on human health.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.