A batch of Pams brand Afghan Oat Baked Bars has been urgently recalled due to possible metal contamination, New Zealand Food Safety announced Friday.

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is backing Foodstuffs Own Brands Limited’s recall of the oat bars after metal from manufacturing equipment may have entered the product.

Consumers are urged to check for Batch L5017 with a best before date of 16 January 2026. The bars were sold nationwide at New World, Pak’nSave, Four Square, Gilmours, Trents and Social Supermarket.

“Metal may have got into the product during the production process,” Deputy Director-General Vincent Arbuckle said.

“If you have any of the affected bars, don’t eat them. Return them to the store for a refund. If that’s not possible, dispose of them,” Arbuckle said.

The impacted products have been pulled from shelves and were not exported, according to NZFS.

No injuries linked to the product have been reported so far, but NZFS is continuing to monitor the situation.

Arbuckle said NZFS would work with Foodstuffs Own Brands Limited to understand how the contamination occurred and to stop it from happening again.

“The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but incidents like this do occasionally happen,” Arbuckle said.

Consumers can visit the NZFS recall page for more details and a photo of the affected product: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety-home/food-recalls-and-complaints/recalled-food-products/pams-brand-afghan-oat-baked-bars

NZFS also encouraged the public to sign up for food recall alerts to stay informed about potential risks. Instructions on how to subscribe are available on the same page.