Warning issued after cheese taken from landfill
New Zealand Food Safety is warning people about the unauthorized sale of cheese sent to landfill.
The cheese appears to have been taken from the Putaruru landfill before being discovered and sold in Waikato. It is possible that cheese sales took place in other regions. The cheese was disposed of after the Over The Moon company deemed it unsuitable for sale.
New Zealand Food Safety said it was not aware of any linked illnesses.
The affected cheeses belong to the Over The Moon brand and include products with batch numbers 18.11.25, 25.11.25 and 26.11.25.
The cheeses are Camembert, OMG, Black Truffle Brie, Galactic Gold, Halloumi, Gee’s Spread (black truffle and chili garlic flavors), Smoked Chili Camembert, Goat’s Camembert and Double Délice.
“We have serious concerns about the safety of this product given that the company has determined that it is not fit for sale and has rightly removed it,” said Vincent Arbuckle, New Zealand’s deputy director general of food safety.
“Additionally, eating cheese that has been in a landfill for some time and outside of the food supply chain carries very obvious food safety risks of contamination. The cheese should not be consumed because it has not undergone the required food safety checks and we do not know how it was stored, transported or handled.
“If you are offered Over the Moon cheese from an unregistered company, or if the transaction does not appear legitimate, it is best to exercise caution. Selling underpriced cheese is illegal and poses a risk to food safety and public health.”
Over the Moon has reported the issue to New Zealand Food Safety and is advising customers. The company’s cheese is sold legally in various outlets.
In a statement, the company said it believed some lots were being sold in the South Waikato on the black market for less than retail.
“These lots on the black market are sold by individuals, none have been sold.
distributed or sold through our own factory, store or authorized retailers. Anyone who has acquired these lots from an unauthorized seller should not consume them and dispose of them immediately.
