Woolworths New Zealand Ltd has issued a recall for a specific batch of its Woolworths brand 18% Fat Beef Mince after it was found to contain foreign matter—specifically soft blue plastic. The recall affects products sold in 500g and 1kg packs with a Best Before date of 05.07.25, available at selected Woolworths stores across the North Island.
Product Details:
The recalled beef mince was sold in clear plastic trays in two sizes:
-
500g
-
1kg
Both variants are marked with a Best Before date of 05.07.25. No other Woolworths brand products are affected by this recall. The impacted products have not been exported outside of New Zealand.
Health Risk Information:
Ingestion of foreign materials, even soft plastic, can pose significant choking hazards and may lead to internal injuries if swallowed. In some cases, plastic contamination in food may also result in gastrointestinal discomfort, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and the elderly.
According to global food safety data, foreign object contamination is one of the leading causes of food recalls, accounting for roughly 12% of all food recalls worldwide. Though rare, cases of plastic ingestion have been known to result in emergency medical intervention.
What Consumers Should Do:
Customers are advised not to consume the affected product. Instead, they should return it to their nearest Woolworths store for a full refund. Those who may have already consumed the product and are feeling unwell are urged to seek medical attention.
For any questions or further assistance, customers can contact Woolworths New Zealand Ltd at 0800 40 40 40 or visit them at 80 Favona Rd, Mangere, Manukau.
Woolworths is working closely with New Zealand Food Safety to ensure the safety and well-being of all consumers.