A woman in New Zealand has been fined for selling food that had been recalled.
In November 2024, Xinchen Liu, the owner of Samurai Bowl on Colombo Street in Christchurch, pleaded guilty to one charge under the Food Act for trading food that was subject to a recall. The action was prompted by unsafe levels of Staphylococcus aureus in some frozen meals.
Liu was sentenced in Christchurch District Court earlier this month following a prosecution by New Zealand Food Safety. She was given six months’ home detention and fined NZ $20,000 (U.S. $11,400).
Jenny Bishop, New Zealand Food Safety acting deputy director general, said Staphylococcus aureus can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.
“The consequences can be serious for people with compromised immune systems. Food recalls are conducted to protect consumers from potential harm. People rightly expect food businesses sell food that is safe and suitable,” she said.
Routine testing results undertaken by the business found high levels of Staphylococcus aureus in samples of frozen ramen meals.
MPI’s New Zealand Food Safety was notified, as required under the Food Act. Findings led to a recall in June 2019 of all frozen Samurai Bowl ramen meals made since Liu had taken over the business.
Liu confirmed the recall had gone ahead, providing pictures to food safety officers and the recall was closed in August that year by New Zealand Food Safety. However, some meals were frozen and later given to staff and restaurant clients.
“Most people do the right thing, but Liu didn’t do as she claimed and stored the meals in freezers. Some of them were defrosted and made available to staff. Miso soup and meat from recalled meals was also served to customers at her restaurant. This was deliberate and reckless behavior and Liu’s actions had the potential to cause sickness and health risks for a number of customers,” said Bishop.
Unregistered business
In another case, a man in Auckland who illegally killed and sold pigs and a chicken has been fined.
Peni Naivaluvou was sentenced in Papakura District Court in March on three charges under the Animal Products Act, following a prosecution by New Zealand Food Safety.
He was fined NZ $4,000 (U.S. $2,300) for the illegal slaughter of animals, NZ $2,000 (U.S. $1,100) for selling the meat, and the same amount for failing to comply with a notice to stop the home kill operation.
“This home kill business was not registered as required under the Animal Products Act, meaning they were operating unlawfully and not subject to the food hygiene standards and meat inspection checks that all registered meat processors meet,” said Vincent Arbuckle.
During an investigation from 2022 to 2023, a covert food safety investigator bought a slaughtered pig from Naivaluvou. The 64-year-old was then served a notice of direction under the Animal Products Act which prohibited him from killing or selling animals, but he ignored the order and carried out additional sales to covert investigators.
Naivaluvou told New Zealand Food Safety investigators he understood the requirements of the notice of direction but continued to operate as an illegal home kill business.
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