New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is supporting Tokyo Food Company Ltd and Wholesale Club in their recall of imported
Morinaga brand Manna Bolo baby biscuits because the products may contain animal droppings.
“The concern with these biscuits is that they are marketed at babies and young children, who could get seriously sick
from bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella if they swallow animal droppings,” says NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.
“These products should not be eaten. People can return them to the place of purchase for a refund or, if that’s not
possible, throw them away.”
The affected products are imported and have also been recalled in Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. They are sold at
ethnic grocery stores nationwide.
Visit NZFS’s recall page for more information and photographs of the affected product.
Symptoms of salmonellosis and E. coli infection include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, fever, headache, nausea, and throwing
up.
If your child has consumed any of these biscuits and you are concerned for their health, contact your health
professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.
NZFS has not received any complaints or notifications of associated illness.
The products have been removed from store shelves and have not been re-exported.
“Japanese food safety authorities are responsible for this matter, and we have not been informed which type of animal
dropping this might be,” Mr Arbuckle said.
The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur. Help keep yourself and your
family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the NZFS food recall page.
For more information, contact New Zealand Food Safety’s media team on NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz.