The New South Wales Food Authority has reminded all retailers across NSW they were legally required to comply with the MasterFood’s recall and remove all Mars and Snickers bars from sale.
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While most retailers were to be congratulated for complying with the recall, the Food Authority was concerned at reports that some shop owners were slow to remove the bars.
Acting director-general Craig Sahlin said it appeared some retailers were confused about their legal obligations under the voluntary recall.
“Voluntary in this case means MasterFoods took the responsible decision to protect public heath by recalling Mars and Snickers bars, it does not mean it is voluntary whether retailers can take them off the shelves,” Sahlin said.
“It doesn’t matter if a recall is voluntary or mandatory; once the recall is underway retailers are legally obligated to take the product off the shelf as soon as possible to protect public health and safety,” he said. “We hope this clarifies the situation once and for all – retailers must remove Mars and Snickers bars immediately or else they risk hefty fines.”
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By GlobalDataSahlin said fines of up to A$55,000 (US$41,000) for individuals or $275,000 for corporations existed under Standard 3.2.2 of the Food Standards Code. Under the Food Standards Code, food businesses must ensure Mars and Snickers bars are kept separately from other food until destroyed, returned or disposed.
“MasterFoods and most retailers are to be congratulated for getting these bars off the shelves as quickly as possible,” Sahlin said. “We hope the handful of retailers who are dragging their feet get the message very quickly and do the same.
“The Food Authority fully supports the MasterFoods recall. Public safety and health is paramount and we will not tolerate retailers that don’t do the right thing,” he said.
