Foodstuffs South Island Ltd recalls raw sugar

19 November 2021, NZ: Foodstuffs South Island Ltd is conducting a recall of raw sugar from its South Island stores which may be contaminated with low levels of lead.

The sugar was subject to a previous recall and Foodstuffs South Island Ltd released it in error. The company is undertaking a review of its processes to ensure it doesn’t happen again, says New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) Deputy Director-General Vincent Arbuckle.

“An NZFS expert science assessment, which was independently peer-reviewed, found the immediate food safety risk from the sugar was low.

“At the levels of lead detected someone would need to consume the contaminated product over a long period of time for it to be a concern.

“Foodstuffs South Island Ltd advises that about 1200 packages of sugar were released to shelves, and about 1000 were sold. The company has apologised for the error.”

The recall affects 500g packets of Chelsea brand Raw Sugar sold at Four Square, New World, and Pak’nSave supermarkets throughout the South Island.