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Lead contamination of food

Routine monitoring of foods in the Total Diet Survey identified unacceptably high levels of lead in a baby custard. The custard was recalled and further investigations revealed that the source of the lead was cornflour. In all, three batches of cornflour have been found to contain lead at unacceptable levels. The cornflour milled late last year in New Zealand from one shipment of imported corn that is believed to have been contaminated during shipping. The cornflour has been sold as packaged cornflour and used as a minor ingredient in other products.

All products in which cornflour from the affected batches was used were identified and products with unacceptable levels of lead have been recalled.

• List of products recalled and contact details
• Lead contamination of cornflour risk assessment and consumption data

Media Releases:

• Lead in cornflour 26^th July 2004
• Contaminated cornflour traced 27^th July 2004
• Source of lead-contaminated cornflour traced 29^th July 2004

FAQs:

• Lead in food – frequently asked questions.