HEALTH ALERT: Warning Issued Over Stolen ‘Over the Moon’ Cheese Resold in Waikato
By Lions Roar News Investigative Team
PUTARURU, NEW ZEALAND – New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) has issued an urgent warning to residents in the Waikato region after reports emerged of specialty cheese—intended for a landfill—being salvaged and resold to the public.
The cheese, produced by the award-winning Over the Moon Dairy, was discarded due to quality and safety concerns and sent to a local landfill. However, authorities believe a quantity of this product was illegally removed from the site and is now being sold via informal channels, including social media marketplaces and local pop-up stalls.
🚫 Why You Should Not Eat It
New Zealand Food Safety Deputy Director-General Vincent Arbuckle has warned that the discarded cheese poses a significant risk of foodborne illness.
- Microbial Contamination: Because the cheese was disposed of in a landfill, it has been exposed to unsanitary environments, pests, and bacteria.
- Listeria & E. Coli Risk: Cheeses, particularly soft varieties like those made by Over the Moon, are highly susceptible to pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes and STEC (E. coli), which can grow even in refrigerated conditions.
- Break in Cold Chain: The product has not been stored at the required temperatures, meaning any existing bacteria could have multiplied to dangerous levels.
“Food dumped at a landfill is waste and should never be consumed,” Arbuckle stated. “There is no way to guarantee its safety. If you have bought cheese from an unconventional source in the Waikato recently, do not eat it. Throw it away immediately.”
🧀 How to Identify the At-Risk Product
While Over the Moon Dairy is a respected brand found in reputable supermarkets and delis, the “landfill cheese” is likely being sold:
- Without proper receipts or official packaging.
- At unusually low prices (e.g., “bulk deals” on Facebook).
- Through unauthorized vendors out of vehicles or private homes.
Over the Moon Dairy has clarified that all products sold through their official boutique in Putaruru and their authorized retail partners remain safe and are subject to the highest quality controls.
🚩 Symptoms to Watch For
If you suspect you have consumed the contaminated cheese, monitor yourself for the following symptoms:
- Fever and muscle aches.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Severe diarrhea.
Vulnerable Groups: Pregnant people, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at much higher risk of severe complications from foodborne bacteria. If you fall into these categories and have eaten the cheese, contact a healthcare professional immediately or call Healthline at 0800 611 116.
