12 Feb 2015 Parmalat issues recall for some caustic-contaminated PureJoy apple juice packs

The firm said two complaints were followed up and the products in question were recovered. Parmalat’s investigation confirmed they had been contaminated with caustic (sodium hydroxide), making them unfit for consumption.

The problem has been isolated to a production time window of less than five minutes affecting an estimated 300 packages in batch of over 125 000 units, said the firm.

However, all 200ml UHT PureJoy Apple Juice products with an expiry date of 14 and 15/12/2015 have been removed from retail shelves as a precaution.

André Mahoney, Parmalat spokesman, said it was not yet clear how the filling machine came to dose a small amount of cleaning fluid into the process but all options were being investigated. 

“Quality is the main pillar of Parmalat’s brand promise to consumers and as a result, any possible quality and safety problems receive immediate and urgent attention,” he said.

The green-coloured cartons also have a production date of 14/12/14 and 15/12/14.

Mahoney said most of the distribution for primary sale was likely limited to the Western Cape, but Parmalat recognises that consumers or distributors could have taken the product into other areas.

The recall only affects 200ml UHT PureJoy Apple Juice, no other products or code dates are involved.

Consumers who have purchased the 200 ml UHT PureJoy Apple Juice with the best before (expiration) date of 14 AND 15/12/2015 (E 14.12.15) are urged to phone 0860 66 44 22 or mail [email protected] for immediate collection and refund.