Tom & Luke's Low Carb Snacka Balls Recalled in NZ & Australia Due to Hard Plastic Contamination

Urgent Recall: Tom & Luke's Low Carb Snacka Balls Contain Hard Plastic

A popular line of snack balls, Tom & Luke's Low Carb Snacka Balls, is currently being pulled from shelves across New Zealand and Australia following the discovery of hard plastic pieces within several batches. New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) has issued a recall notice, urging consumers not to consume the affected products.

Affected Products and Flavours

The recall specifically targets certain batches of Tom & Luke's Low Carb Snacka Balls in three distinct flavours:

• Chocolate Coated Cookies & Cream
• Raspberry
• Hazelnut

The presence of hard plastic poses a potential choking hazard or risk of injury, prompting immediate action from authorities.

Official Guidance for Consumers

Vincent Arbuckle, deputy director-general of NZFS, emphasized the importance of public safety. "These products, widely available in retail outlets and supermarkets, should not be eaten," he stated. Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled snack balls are advised to:

1. Return them to their place of purchase for a full refund.
2. If returning them is not feasible, safely discard the products.

Investigation Underway and Source Identified

NZFS is actively collaborating with Smartfoods Ltd, the manufacturer, to investigate the root cause of the contamination and implement measures to prevent any future occurrences. Initial findings suggest the source of the plastic appears to be linked to dried imported dates used in the snack balls' production.

Assessing the Health Risk

Despite the concerning discovery, Arbuckle offered some reassurance regarding potential health impacts. He noted that the plastic pieces found were generally very small. "If someone has eaten it and inadvertently consumed a piece, they're so small they'd pass through in the ordinary course of events," he explained.

Nevertheless, NZFS advises anyone who has consumed the recalled products and is concerned about their health to consult a health professional or contact Healthline at 0800 611 116 for free advice.

Wider Distribution: NZ and Australia Affected

The affected products have been promptly removed from shelves in New Zealand, and authorities have confirmed that these batches were also exported to Australia, necessitating a wider recall effort. This proactive measure by Smartfoods Ltd, following customer reports of plastic bits, highlights their commitment to consumer safety.