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Parents are advised to inspect baby food in squeeze bags after 29 were discovered with damaged packaging in numerous Countdown supermarkets in the North Island.
New Zealand’s director of food safety compliance Gary Orr said that all damaged products have been removed from the shelves.
The damaged products were found in six supermarkets in Auckland and one in Napier and affected three brands: Organic, Natureland and Smiling Tums, owned by Countdown.
He said investigations were underway to find out how the products were pierced, including with the police to rule out the possibility of deliberate damage.
“While we have not yet been able to be definitive about the cause of the damaged baby food packages in this case, we are investigating the possibility that it is the result of a manufacturing fault.”
Orr said that packaging damage can occasionally occur during manufacturing and distribution.
“In the meantime, our advice to parents is to check the packaging of baby food bags before use. You can give the package a light squeeze to identify any holes or other damage, “he said.
“In all the damaged product that has been identified thus far, the holes have been prominent and easy to see loosely. Of course, no product should be consumed with any damaged packaging.
“To be safe, if you have any questions about any bag of baby food in your home, please let the retailer know and return it to the store if you can, as this could help us track down the cause of the damage. “
He urged parents with any medical concerns about their children to seek medical advice.
Detective Inspector Shaun told 1 NEWS that police were conducting “thorough investigations” to establish the source of the damage.
“Police advise anyone who has purchased packages of baby food to inspect them closely before use and to report any damage to the retailer in the first instance,” he said.
“The police also advise people not to dispose of the product, but to put it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator in case it is necessary to examine it.”
Individuals can also report damage cases by calling 105 and quoting file number 200828/3321.
A spokesperson for Countdown confirmed that it was investigating the matter as a precautionary measure.
“We have checked all bags of baby food at our Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice stores and distribution centers nationwide, and customers can be sure that the product on our shelves is not damaged,” he said.
“The safety of our team, clients and their families is our highest priority at all times.
“MPI and the New Zealand Police have taken the lead in this investigation and we are following their advice. We will provide them with all the information they need to help with this. “
Customers can return products for a refund, whether they are damaged or now, the spokesperson said.
1 NEWS seeks comments from Organic and Natureland.
The brands in which damaged product has been identified are:
- Organic only
- Natureland
- Smiling Tums
The stores in which damaged product has been identified are:
- Birkenhead Countdown, Auckland – 15 packages
- Milford Countdown, Auckland – 4 packages
- Meadowlands Countdown, Auckland – 1 pack
- Three Kings Countdown, Auckland – 2 packages
- SuperValue Avondale, Auckland – 6 packages
- Carlyle Countdown, Napier – 1 pack
