A startling public health warning has emerged: cheese discarded at a landfill is reportedly being retrieved and sold to consumers.
According to a representative from New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS), they have recently been alerted to the unauthorized sale of cheese that had previously been disposed of in a landfill located in Waikato. The implications of this situation are alarming, particularly regarding the safety of the products involved. Over the Moon Dairy, the producer of the cheese, had deemed it unsuitable for sale and had taken the necessary steps to dispose of it properly.
Vincent Arbuckle, the deputy director-general of NZFS, expressed grave concerns about the potential hazards associated with consuming cheese that has been in a landfill for an extended period. He emphasized, "Eating cheese that has been in a landfill and removed from the food supply chain poses significant risks of contamination."
He further cautioned, "This cheese should not be eaten as it has not undergone the essential food safety protocols, and we lack information on how it was stored, transported, or handled after its disposal."
The specific types of cheese affected include Over the Moon-branded Camembert, OMG, Black Truffle Brie, Galactic Gold, Halloumi, Gee’s Spread (both Black Truffle & Garlic Chilli flavors), Smoked Chilli Camembert, Goat Camembert, and Double Delight varieties. These products bear the batch numbers 18.11.25, 25.11.25, and 26.11.25.
Reports indicate that this cheese was taken from the Putāruru Landfill and subsequently offered for sale in a nearby Waikato town on Sunday. NZFS has firmly reiterated that this cheese is unsafe for consumption since it has not been kept refrigerated, raising serious concerns about its quality and safety.
There is a possibility that similar sales may have occurred in other locations as well. In response to this troubling situation, Over the Moon has notified NZFS of the incident and is actively working to reach out to customers regarding the matter.
Cheese bought from the company’s authorized vendors is safe to consume, provided it hasn’t been impacted by this issue. However, NZFS advises exercising caution if cheese from this brand is sold by unregistered sellers. As Arbuckle noted, "Selling discarded cheese is illegal and poses a serious food safety risk to public health. New Zealand Food Safety is currently investigating this situation."
At this time, NZFS has reported no known illnesses related to this incident.
But here's the part that raises eyebrows: what could compel someone to sell cheese that has been improperly disposed of? Is there a greater issue at play regarding food safety regulations and public awareness? We invite you to share your thoughts and insights in the comments below.
