A batch of peanuts — previously recalled — have been released for sale in error, prompting New Zealand Food Safety to ask people to check their products.
People who purchased Value Pack Roasted Salted Peanuts since April 11 are being urged to check if they are part of the batch which was recalled on April 5.
“Prolife Foods recalled specific batches of products containing peanuts last month over concerns that they could contain levels of aflatoxins above the allowable level in New Zealand,” said New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.
“Disappointingly, some of these recalled products have been released for sale in error by Prolife.
“NZFS is investigating how this could have happened. We will be reviewing Prolife’s recall system to find out what went wrong, and to prevent it happening again.
“Please check your pantry for any of these peanuts. Don’t consume them and return them to the place of purchase for a refund.”
The affected products were sold at New World, FreshChoice, Pak’nSave and Four Square stores.
“Aflatoxins are naturally occurring in many food products and are produced by a group of moulds that grow on foods produced in hot and tropical climates,” said Arbuckle.
“Levels of aflatoxin in the New Zealand diet are usually very low and don’t represent a health risk, however, consumption of food products with increased levels of aflatoxin over an extended period of time can be harmful.
“Despite the health risk being low in this case, any release of recalled products is of concern.”
New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated illness.
What products are affected?
- Value Pack brand and VP brand Nuts and Raisins 400g, Best Before 29 SEP 2024.
- Value Pack brand and VP brand Roasted Salted Peanuts 400g, Best Before 08 OCT 2024 and 15 OCT 2024.
- Value Pack brand Roasted Salted Peanuts 750g, Best Before 08 OCT 2024.
- Refill Pack Roasted Nut Mix 850g, Best Before 05 OCT 2024.
- Refill Pack Raw Nut Mix 850g, Best Before 05 OCT 2024.