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The rodents are believed to have nibbled on baby food containers found on various supermarket shelves (file photo).
The holes in dozens of squeezable baby food bags found on supermarket shelves were likely caused by a “mouse infestation.”
Damaged bags were found in about 30 baby food packages in six supermarkets in Auckland (five Countdown and one SuperValue) and one Countdown in Napier, in recent days.
The discovery prompted a police investigation, but Countdown determined that it was actually caused by mice.
Countdown has launched a nationwide recall of brands including Smiling Tums, Only Organics, and Natureland.
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The director of food safety compliance at the Ministry of Primary Industries, Gary Orr, said the recall followed the discovery of a mouse infestation at two of Woolworth NZ’s distribution centers in Auckland.
“Now it seems likely that the damage was caused by these mouse infestations. However, we continue to work to rule out any other possible supply chain issues.
“In the meantime, we are working with Woolworths NZ to ensure that the necessary corrective action is taken so this does not happen again.”
MONIQUE FORD / STUFF / Things
Baby food products were being recalled from Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice stores across the country, and posters were posted to inform customers.
The product was recalled from Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice stores across the country and posters were put up to inform customers.
“If you have any affected product, return it to the retailer or throw it away,” Orr said.
“Mice should be kept away from food because they can contaminate food and packaging with harmful microbes from their saliva, urine and droppings.
“Any food contamination is serious, but for babies it can be particularly significant, so we ask parents to check every bag of baby food that can be squeezed in their home to make sure it is not affected by the recall. From the market.
Heavy rains in Auckland and a strong attraction to sweeter or fruit-based baby food flavors led to mice damaging the product at two of Countdown’s distribution centers in Auckland, said Food Safety General Manager Kiri Hannifin.
Supplied
Only Organic is one of the brands that Countdown supermarkets are remembering.
The mouse’s activity was not related to any of the brands themselves, their production process or transportation, he said.
“Countdown has found evidence of mouse activity in some boxes of the older brand’s baby bags.
“As a precautionary measure, all stocks of these products will be removed from distribution centers and stores.
“As a mom, I know that the safety of the food you feed your baby is the most important thing. We sincerely apologize for any distress caused to our customers, our suppliers and their families. “
John Kirk-Anderson / Stuff
The supermarket chain has removed the affected children’s food products from the shelves.
Any customer who has purchased Smiling Tums, Only Organics or Natureland baby bags is requested to return the product to their nearest store for a full refund.
The preventive recall includes all dates, all flavors and all batches of these products.
These products should not be consumed whether they have been damaged or not, due to possible contamination by mice, Hannifin said.
“We ask our customers to bring the affected products to their local store, or for online customers, please call our customer care team on 0800 40 40 40, for a full refund,” Hannifin said.
There have been no reports of illness; however, if your baby has consumed this product and you have any concerns, consult a doctor.
