New Zealand Food Safety has issued a nationwide recall of selected Pams and Market Kitchen sauce products after concerns were raised about potentially damaged glass jars that could pose a risk to consumers.

The recall affects specific batches of Pams simmer sauces and Market Kitchen Sweet ’N Sour Cooking Sauce, sold at major retailers including Four Square, New World, Pak’nSave, and The Warehouse.

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said the precautionary recall was triggered by a packaging fault that may cause the jars to break or shed glass fragments.

“The concern with both these ranges of products is that the glass jars they come in may be damaged and glass could get into the sauces or cause injury when handled,” Arbuckle said.

“If you have any of these products – sold at Four Square, New World, Pak’nSave and The Warehouse nationwide – don’t eat them and handle them carefully. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If that’s not possible, throw them out.”

Affected products

The recall applies to the following items and best-before dates:A range of products have been recalled after concerns were raised about potentially damaged glass jars that could pose a risk to consumers.

Pams Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce (510g):

• Best Before 15/04/2027
• Best Before 20/04/2027
• Best Before 13/05/2027
• Best Before 22/05/2027
• Best Before 04/06/2027

Pams Sweet & Sour Simmer Sauce (510g):

• Best Before 11/05/2027
• Best Before 19/05/2027
• Best Before 10/06/2027

Pams Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce (510g):

• Best Before 09/06/2027

Pams Honey Soy Simmer Sauce (510g):

• Best Before 09/06/2027

Market Kitchen Sweet ’N Sour Cooking Sauce (500g):

• Best Before 17/01/2027

The products have been removed from store shelves and have not been exported.

Investigation underway

Authorities are now working with Foodstuffs Own Brands Limited and The Warehouse Limited to determine the cause of the packaging issue and to prevent a recurrence.

“As is our usual practice, NZFS will work with both companies to understand how this happened and prevent its recurrence,” Arbuckle said.

While the recall has raised concerns, NZFS emphasised that such incidents are relatively rare.

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur, the recall said.

Advice for consumers

NZFS is encouraging the public to stay informed about food safety alerts by subscribing to its recall notification service. Updated information, including images of affected products, is available on the NZFS recall webpage.

For further information, consumers can contact the Ministry for Primary Industries on 0800 008 333 or email [email protected].