Second recall of Pan products

The Minister for Food Safety, Annette King, is ordering a second recall of products manufactured by Pan Pharmaceuticals Ltd that have been recalled in Australia.

Today's recall notice and yesterday's first recall notice have been published online (see link below).

More than 1300 products have now been recalled in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. The second recall in New Zealand involves 691 products manufactured by Pan Pharmaceuticals.

"It is prudent to recall all the products in New Zealand currently being recalled in Australia," said NZFSA Director of Policy and Regulatory Standards Carole Inkster.

"We are working hard to formulate a list of products either manufactured by Pan Pharmaceuticals or containing ingredients manufactured by that company that are available in New Zealand. This includes products sold under different brand names.

"The health of New Zealanders is of the utmost importance in this issue and it is imperative that products on this latest list are taken off the shop shelves. People should stop taking the products contained in this list immediately and either return them to the retailer where they bought them or dispose of them."

The recall has been ordered under section 40 of the Food Act 1981. The penalties for non-compliance of the recall are a fine of up to $2000 or imprisonment of up to three months.

Ms Inkster said the NZFSA had received about 400 calls to its dietary supplements helpline from people concerned about products they may have been taking. The helpline number is 0800 NZFSA1 (0800 693 721).