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Cheese dumped at a landfill has apparently been taken and sold to the public.
A New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) spokesperson said it had become aware of the unauthorised sale of cheese previously disposed of in a Waikato landfill.
There is concern about the safety of this product as Overthe Moon Dairy, which made the cheese, determined it was not suitable for sale and disposed of it.
“Eating cheese that has been in a landfill for a period of time and out of the food supply chain carries very obvious food safety risks of contamination,” said NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.
“The cheese should not be eaten as it has not been subject to required food safety controls and we do not know how it has been stored, transported or handled.”
The affected cheeses are Over the Moon-branded Camembert, OMG, Black Truffle Brie, Galactic Gold, Halloumi, Gee’s Spread (Black Truffle & Garlic Chilli flavours), Smoked Chilli Camembert, Goat Camembert, and Double Delight with batch numbers 18.11.25, 25.11.25 and 26.11.25.
Cheese dumped as a landfill has been resold in Waikato.
The cheese was supposedly taken from Putāruru Landfill and found for sale in the Waikato town on Sunday.
NZFS said the cheese is not safe to eat as it was not refrigerated.
It is possible sales of this cheese have happened in other areas.
Over the Moon reported the issue to NZFS and is working to inform customers.
Cheese purchased from the company’s registered vendors is safe to eat if not affected, but NZFS said it’s best to exercise caution if cheese from the brand is sold by an unregistered business.
“Selling dumped cheese is illegal and a food safety risk to public health. New Zealand Food Safety is investigating,” said Arbuckle.
