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Tag: unsafe

  • Unsafe Landfill Cheese Surfaces on NZ Market: Over The Moon Brand Issues Alert

    Unsafe Landfill Cheese Surfaces on NZ Market: Over The Moon Brand Issues Alert

    Cheese that had been previously discarded in a landfill was discovered being unlawfully sold in Waikato.

    New Zealand Food Safety reports that the cheese seems to have been removed from the Putaruru rubbish tip before being located for sale in the town on Sunday. It was stated that the product had not been kept in refrigerated conditions and was therefore unsuitable for consumption. Additionally, there’s a possibility that this cheese is being sold in other regions as well.

    The Impacted Products

    The cheeses in question are all from the Over The Moon brand. The list of items includes Camembert, OMG, Black Truffle Brie, Galactic Gold, Halloumi, Gee’s Spread (Black Truffle & Garlic Chilli flavors), Smoked Chilli Camembert, Goat Camembert, and Double Delight. The batches affected carry the numbers 18.11.25, 25.11.25, and 26.11.25.

    Over the Moon was the first to bring this issue to the attention of New Zealand Food Safety, and is currently working on alerting its customers.

    Despite the absence of any reported illness linked to the consumption of this product, New Zealand Food Safety expressed “serious concerns” about the product’s safety. This is especially due to the fact that the cheese was deemed unfit for sale by the company and consequently disposed of.

    Vincent Arbuckle, the deputy director general of New Zealand Food Safety, warned about the evident food safety risks connected with the consumption of cheese that has spent a certain period of time in a landfill and outside of the food supply chain. He stated that the cheese should be avoided as it hasn’t been subjected to mandatory food safety controls and its storage, transport, and handling methods remain unknown.

    Customers who come across the affected cheese in unregistered businesses can call the toll-free line 0800 00 83 33. They have been advised to instead buy the legitimate Over The Moon products from the company’s authorized stockists.

    Investigations Underway

    Arbuckle emphasized that the sale of discarded cheese is illegal and poses a considerable risk to public health. He noted that an investigation is underway by New Zealand Food Safety.

    Questions & Answers

    What are the specific cheese products that have been found illegally for sale?
    The implicated products are from the Over The Moon brand, including Camembert, OMG, Black Truffle Brie, Galactic Gold, Halloumi, Gee’s Spread (Black Truffle & Garlic Chilli flavors), Smoked Chilli Camembert, Goat Camembert, and Double Delight.

    What is the risk of consuming these cheeses?
    The cheeses, which were not refrigerated and have spent time in a landfill, could be contaminated and pose significant food safety risks.

    What should customers do if they find the affected cheese for sale?
    Customers should report any sightings of the cheese being sold at unregistered businesses to the toll-free line 0800 00 83 33. They should only purchase Over The Moon products from the company’s authorized stockists.

  • Slime found to contain toxic levels of boron

    Slime found to contain toxic levels of boron

    Scientists have discovered potentially dangerous levels of boron in children’s slime. On Wednesday, Seoul National University scientists from the school’s Institute of Health & Environment wrote in a scientific journal that 25 out of 30 slime toys they analyzed were found to contain boron levels that exceeded the European Union limit of 300 milligrams per kilogram (2.2 pounds).

    The 25 products were found to contain around 1,000 milligrams per kilogram on average, while one product was found to exceed the limit by seven times.

    While boron, which gives slime its gooey consistency, is naturally found in food like nuts and used in medicine, high doses or exposure may lead to possible disruptions in metabolism, stunted development and infertility.

    There are currently no domestic regulations on boron limits in toys.

    The new findings are throwing parents into a panic, given slime’s massive popularity. Videos of Korean YouTubers playing with slime have garnered millions of views, while over 100 slime cafes have also popped up.

    “My kids are already obsessed with slime toys,” wrote one mother in a blog on Thursday. “We need regulations quickly, but nothing is being done.”

    “I banned slime from our home some time ago,” wrote another. “Though my kids like them, the slime toys are just balls of germs that my kids touch over and over again, absorbing the bad chemicals into their hands.”

    This is not the first time that slime has been under fire for containing hazardous substances. Last year, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards found that 76 of 190 slime products it tested contained unsafe substances including methylisothiazolinone and chloromethylisothiazolinone, which can cause respiratory issues.

    The agency has since ordered a recall for the unsafe products.