Popular health food taken off shelves over 'very fine metal wire'

The potential presence of "very fine metal wire" has forced a popular health food company to recall batches of its products.

Tubs of Tasti Smooshed wholefood balls in several flavours are affected in the recall.

The flavours are peanut butter and caramel (69g), peanut caramel (207g), berry cashew and cacao (69g), cacao brownie (69g), cacao brownie tub (207g), protein dark cacao brownie tub (174g) and protein raspberry brownie tub (174g).

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The products have been sold in Woolworths and Coles in-store and online.

The best-before dates of the affected products are:

• peanut butter and caramel (69g) - 21/05/2026, 26/05/2026, 26/06/2026, 1/07/2026;
• Peanut caramel (207g) - 4/08/2026;
• Berry cashew and cacao (69g) - 7/07/2026;
• cacao brownie (69g) - 17/07/2026;
• cacao brownie tub (207g) - 11/08/2026;
• protein dark cacao brownie tub (174g) - 14/05/2026;
• protein raspberry brownie tub (174g) - 22/05/2026

In a statement, Tasti said it discovered the potential presence of the "exceptionally thin metal wire originating from imported raw materials".

"Tasti products undergo metal detection checks before being released to market in this particular case the metal wire detected is extremely fine, and therefore not always detectable," the statement said.

"If you have consumed the product and are concerned for your health, please call your nearest medical centre."

Customers who bought the affected product have been told to dispose it if it falls in the best before date range.

Those customers have been told to take a photo of the product showing the best before date and send it to tasti@tasti.co.nz to receive a replacement voucher.

Tasti said the rest of its product range was safe.

"We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause and thank our customers for their understanding as we act with caution and transparency."

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