New Zealand Warns Against Illegal Sale of Landfill-Discarded Cheese

New Zealand Food Safety has issued a public warning after discovering that cheese sent to a landfill was removed and later sold illegally. The products, from boutique cheesemaker Over The Moon, were disposed of at the Putaruru Landfill after the company deemed them unfit for sale. Authorities later found the cheeses being sold in Waikato, with concerns they may have reached other regions.

Affected items include multiple Over The Moon cheeses with batch numbers 18.11.25, 25.11.25, and 26.11.25, such as Camembert, Black Truffle Brie, Halloumi, and several flavored spreads. No related illnesses have been reported.

Officials stressed that food recovered from landfill poses serious contamination risks, as it falls outside regulated food safety controls. Over The Moon said the cheeses are being sold on the black market at reduced prices and urged consumers to discard any products bought from unauthorized sellers. Selling dumped food is illegal and a public health risk.

08-01-2026