Australian food suppliers may soon be required by law to communicate more frequently and directly to consumers by means of tailored communication methods such as social media and blogging, which will see Australia at the forefront of innovation. In a report released today, The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has analysed the way consumers are informed about product recalls (in all categories not only food) and proposes significant changes in this area. The report, titled Review... ...Read more »

The NSW Food Authority has fined a Newtown cafe for “failing to ensure that food for disposal (recalled Bonsoy soy milk) was kept separate from other products”. The company has been fined $660 for failing to comply with the standards required by the Food Standards Code. Bonsoy was recalled in December last year by its importer, Spiral Foods, after unusually high levels of iodine were found in the product. Since then, the ban on the recalled product has been repeatedly flouted by cafes,... ...Read more »

Montefiori Cheese is conducting a voluntary consumer level recall on their Mozarella Fiorello cheese products. The reason for the recall is that the products have been contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.  Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning are vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain which persists for more than 24 hours.  Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice. The voluntary recall applies only to Mozarella Fiorello cheeses with the following weights and best before... ...Read more »

The manufacturer Thai Ha Public Company Limited and Woolworths Limited are conducting a voluntary consumer level recall on Home Brand Jasmine Rice 1kg Net due to a product safety issue. The Product may have been contaminated with metal shavings, which may pose a health risk if swallowed.  Customers are advised not to eat this product. The recall only applies to the 1kg pack size.  No other Woolworths products are affected by the recall. Any customer who may have this product should return it to... ...Read more »

Darrell Lea and Ricci Redmond Chocolate are conducting a voluntary recall of yoghurt-coated liquorice products as a result of lead levels above the accepted Australian standard. The products affected are: Darrell Lea Yoghurt Coated Raspberry Liquorice – 185g Darrell Lea Yoghurt Coated Mango Liquorice – 185g Ricci Yoghurt Coated Raspberry Liquorice – 225g & 185g Ricci Yoghurt Coated Mango Liquorice – 225g All of the above products are being recalled, regardless of best-before date.... ...Read more »

Heng Fai Trading Co. Pty. Ltd is issuing a voluntary recall of their Dried Seaweed product as it has been found to contain unusually high levels of naturally occurring iodine. Bonsoy faced similar issues in December last year (2009) and also made a voluntary recall of its soy milk due to high levels of iodine in its product. Consumers please be advised that the below product may cause illness. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice. The recall applies only to 150g... ...Read more »

Woolworths limited wishes to advise its cutomers that it has initiated a voluntary consumer level recall on Woolworths Label Minced Heart Smart Beef, packed on Sunday 28/02/2010 and use by date 02/03/2010 sold at Kingston Supermarket, Kingston Tasmania only. The reason for the recall is plastic pieces may have contaminated the minced meat product. Only 65 packs with Use By 02/03/2010 and of average weight 500 grams of Woolworths Minced Heart Smart Beef may have been affected by this recall. Any customers... ...Read more »

ACP Magazines Ltd is conducting a voluntary recall of “The Happy Baby Cookbook” (ISBN 978-1-86396-959-8). Some of the recipes in the “food for pregnant women” chapter contain ingredients that the NSW Food Authority advises may be harmful to pregnant women and should be avoided. The book was on sale nationally through major book retailers and selected newsagents from 4 August 2009. Customers should return copies of the book to ACP Magazines and will be provided with a full... ...Read more »

Retail outlets have been warned to heed product recall advice after food safety authorities responded to a complaint that alleged an inner Sydney café was still using Bonsoy soy milk – a product that was subject to a nationwide recall in December. NSW Minister for Primary Industries Steve Whan advised today that any company selling goods that have been recalled would face a heavy penalty. “Ignorance is no excuse, the NSW Food Authority issued advice prior to Christmas of the recall of... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand has advised people not to consume Bonsoy soy milk. Coffee shops, retail and other outlets should also not use this product. This follows a cluster of nine adults aged from 29 to 47, and one child, who have recently presented in NSW with thyroid problems. These individuals all reported consuming Bonsoy soy milk. Subsequent testing of samples of Bonsoy soy milk revealed unusually high levels of iodine. This brand of soy milk is enriched with “Kombu”,... ...Read more »