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Recall of specialist infant formula due to potential toxin

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety, Pharmac, and the Ministry of Health are supporting Nestlé in its recall of 5 batches of Alfamino infant formula for babies with milk allergies due to the potential presence of cereulide.

“The problem with these products is that they could contain cereulide, a toxin produced by the microorganism Bacillus cereus, which can cause gastrointestinal illness. Fortunately, there have been no reports of associated illness here in New Zealand or internationally,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“In New Zealand, the affected imported products are not available in supermarkets. They are mainly publicly funded and available through hospitals, pharmacies, and GPs. A small amount could have been bought over the counter at pharmacies or online.”

The affected batches of Alfamino 400g are:

  • batch number 51070017Y2, use-by date 17.04.2027
  • batch number 51080017Y1, use-by date 18.04.2027
  • batch number 51480017Y3, use-by date 28.05.2027
  • batch number 51490017Y1, use-by date 29.05.2027
  • batch number 52030017Y1, use-by date 22.07.2027.

“Prescribers and pharmacies are being advised of the recall and asked to inform the parents and guardians of infants who have been prescribed this brand of infant formula,” says Mr Arbuckle.  

“If you have the affected Alfamino formula at home, do not feed it to your baby, if at all possible. Return it to the place of purchase.

“Pharmac funds a number of alternative products, so discuss what’s best for your baby with your pharmacist or GP.

“For parents and guardians with affected batches and no alternative infant formula for tonight and tomorrow, please contact Healthline, which can help.”

If your baby has consumed the affected formula, symptoms linked to cereulide may include vomiting and diarrhoea (which can be severe or persistent), or unusual lethargy. These symptoms would typically appear between 30 minutes to 6 hours after exposure. Symptoms typically resolve within 24 hours.

If you have any concerns about your baby’s health, contact your healthcare provider, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.

Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page for up-to-date information and photographs of the affected products.

Nestlé brand Alfamino Infant Formula (0-12 months) recalled due to the possible presence of the toxin cereulide

“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will work with Nestlé to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence,” says Mr Arbuckle.

This recall follows a larger international recall by Nestlé, after cereulide was found in an ingredient used in a range of products available overseas.

More information is available on Nestlé’s website, or call 0800 864 685.

Infant formula issue – Nestlé Global

For more information email: NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

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Motorist caught driving more than twice speed limit in Palmerston North

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

Police are reporting multiple instances of concerning speeds on roads in the Manawatū over the last two days.

They say one driver was caught travelling at more than twice the speed limit in central Palmerston North while another was clocked at 132 km/h heading into Ashhurst in rainy conditions.

Police outlined two instances where drivers were caught 44 km/h over the speed limit and another where alcohol testing revealed a person driving while more than three times the legal limit.

Sergeant Ryan Harrison urged drivers to slow down and said police witnessed the consequences of crashes from speeding every day.

“It’s frustrating. We stop people for speeding and drivers are cross about being caught.

“But we see the crashes these speeds can cause and nobody wants to be part of that,” Harrison said.

Harrison said just a slight reduction in drivers overall speed could have a significant impact on the number of deaths on the country’s roads.

“If we lower our speed on the roads from an average of 102 km/h to 98 km/h then we estimate it would save 52 lives every year.

“It’s simple. Slow down. Please,” Harrison said.

Full list of driver behaviour caught be police recently:

  • A drunk driver blew 854 which is more than three times the legal limit
  • Another was caught doing 110km/h along Fitzherbert Ave (50km zone)
  • A driver did 124km/h in the 80km zone near Bunnythorpe
  • One driver was caught doing 133km/h leaving the Sanson township
  • Another went 132km/h heading into Ashhurst in the rain
  • A driver was detected doing 144km/h on the TAAT highway near Woodville.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Tennis: Jovic and Jones advance at ASB Classic

Source: Radio New Zealand

Great Britain’s Francesca Jones during her singles match at the 2026 ASB Classic Women’s Tennis Tournament at Manuka Doctor Arena, Auckland, New Zealand. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

After sensationally sending second seed Emma Navarro home on day one, Francesca Jones continued her fairytale run at Stanley Street today.

The Brit overcame the sweltering Auckland heat to pull off a stunning comeback after finding herself one set and three games down as Jones joins third seed Iva Jović in the quarters of the ASB Classic.

First to book her berth in the top eight was Jović who required a tiebreaker to take the first set from Sara Bejlek.

However, she soon found her rhythm and would close out the match in straight sets 7-6, 6-4.

Jović told Sky Sport her opponent produced some “tricky tennis”

“That first set was topsy-turvy but I found my way in the second. Tennis is a game of tiny moments that decide matches, just fake it until you make it and try to have the confidence and that’s what I did.”

Austria’s Sinja Kraus during her singles match at the 2026 ASB Classic Women’s Tennis Tournament at Manuka Doctor Arena, Auckland. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Again three sets were required in order to separate Sinja Kraus and Jones with Kruas comfortably claiming the first 6-1.

Jones fought back to win the second 6-4 before turning it right around in the third with a 6-1 decimation.

The Brit admitted she was hampered by the heat.

“I just think I tried to take myself out of the situation a little bit, forget what was happening and trying to start new. When you feel so uncomfortable on the court, you kind of ignore the momentum.”

It comes on the back of the biggest win of her career after upsetting Navarro on Monday 7-5, 2-6, 6-4.

“The more points I can play, the more matches I can play, the better, and I just keep trying to focus on that.”

The final two games of the day see China’s Wang Xinyu meet Mexico’s Renata Zarazúa and Sofia Costoulas of Germany take on Spain’s Kaitlin Quevedo.

Tomorrow sees the remainder of the women’s singles round of 16 starting with Petra Marčinko against Alexandra Eala.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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NZ troops in Ukraine for ceasefire would need Cabinet signoff – Ministry

Source: Radio New Zealand

The declaration was hailed as “more than just words” by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, who named New Zealand and Australia in his speech. AFP / JIM WATSON

New Zealand is an active participant in the Coalition of the Willing – but sending troops to support a ceasefire in Ukraine would need cabinet sign off, the Foreign Ministry says.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to RNZ that New Zealand was represented at the meeting in Paris overnight by the ambassador to France Caroline Bilkey.

The meeting resulted in a joint declaration setting out that that Britain, France and European allies would deploy peacekeeping troops in Ukraine if a ceasefire with Russia was secured.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said this would include the UK and France establishing military hubs, which could also store weapons and military equipment.

The declaration was hailed as “more than just words” by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, who named New Zealand and Australia in his speech.

The ministry said New Zealand welcomed progress made towards negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine.

“We welcome recent progress made towards negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine.

“Any lasting peace will require robust security guarantees for Ukraine which was a key focus of the discussions at the latest meeting held in Paris. New Zealand supports the ongoing efforts of the Coalition.

“New Zealand is an active participant in the Coalition of the Willing discussions but contributions to post-conflict security efforts would require a Cabinet decision.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Hot dogs and cool cats – how to keep your pets safe in summer

Source: Radio New Zealand

This story was first published in 2023.

While we consider keeping ourselves safe in the summer heat, we can’t forget the health of our furry friends.

For those hot summer days, senior veterinarian Ian Schraa recommends not leaving your dogs in the car unless you are there as well.

“But if you do, the car should be in the shade and a window down so air can circulate.”

Hyperthermia is a type of overheating that is particularly tragic for short-nosed canines. (file image)

Unsplash / A.C.

He offers a strict warning for owners of Pekingese, pugs, bulldogs and French bulldogs.

“Those dogs can go in 10 minutes, especially if it’s a hot day,” he told First Up. “Those dogs suck air anyway, they’re panting on a normal basis, that’s how they get rid of heat.

“If they can’t get rid of heat, when the room temperature is above their body temperature, inside the car, then they can’t cool down.”

This is known as hyperthermia, where just being in one or two degrees above a dog’s normal body temperature is where they start to struggle and overheat.

Schraa says this overheating is the most common serious problem in summer and it can happen to any dog, but is particularly tragic for the short-nosed canines.

Hot paws

Walking on hot pavements with bare feet is tough for humans – and our furry friends can also burn their paws and get ulcers.

Schraa says the main thing is to not overdo the walks and build up their paw tolerance slowly.

“When we walk a dog, often we’ll have walked a kilometre and they’ll have worked two because they’re all over the place if they’re off-lead.

“Preventing it [burns] is just building them up. It’s like us, our feet harden up over summer, they’re a bit soft at the start and the sand feels hot but the soles get thicker as we walk around in barefeet. It’s getting them used to it but not overdoing it.”

He recommends walking your dog at dusk or dawn; the times of the day when it’s cooler outdoors.

Inside pets

For indoor pets, keep a fan on and open windows to circulate air. (file image)

Unsplash / Sarah Adatte

For the pets that usually hang out inside, Schraa recommends having a fan going to circulate the air as well as leaving the windows open.

“There is a risk of cats overheating but we don’t see it much. Cats are pretty independent so they can usually work it out themselves.”

Putting ice in your pet’s water can also help to cool them down.

Does my pet need sunblock?

Watch out for too much sun exposure for white or ginger pets.

“Unfortunately, skin cancer in cats is quite common on the tips of their ears and nose, especially if they’re white or poorly pigmented,” Schraa says.

“It’s not a melanoma like in humans … it’s a sunburn initially and then it becomes cancerous and it’s a sore that doesn’t heal itself.”

Schraa says they probably do one or two operations a month on cats’ sunburned skin.

“The best thing is prevention. We can’t do the slip, slop, slap like for humans but we can put sunblock on and there are animal-specific ones … on their ears, round their nose and those white dogs, if they’re a sunbather, on their bellies.”

Don’t overdo treats

“A little bit of human food is fine but don’t go overboard,” says Dr Ian Schraa

Unsplash / Karolina Grabowska

Schraa says his practice saw a fair few cases of gastrointestinal upsets in the days around Christmas and New Year.

“A little bit of human food is fine but don’t go overboard.

“Avoid the the ham bones – we sometimes forget that ham is a salted meat and so you give a dog a ham bone and they’ll be ingesting a lot of salt, so they can get a little bit sick with that.”

Watch out for toxic algae

Schraa warns pet owners to watch out for toxic algae in stagnant water.

Make sure the water is clean for your pets when you go for a walk. (file image)

Unsplash / Alexandros Giannakakis

“That’s a real problem these days in New Zealand… That happens where there’s stagnant water and the water evaporates and the concentration of the algae increases and the dog laps it up.

“It’s very fast, they can die within 30 minutes. So you should have your dog on a lead.”

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Thunder and hail warnings, despite warmer weather

Source: Radio New Zealand

MetService’s latest warning. MetService

Thunderstorms and hail are expected in some areas in the coming days, as temperatures rise across the country.

MetService is forecasting localised downpours in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay on Wednesday.

Severe thunderstorm warnings are in place until 9pm on Wednesday for the North Island’s central east coast.

MetService said rain would move into the far southwest of the South Island on Thursday.

A Heavy Rain Watch was in place for Fiordland and Southern Westland, with heavier rain and thunderstorms possible on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, hot weather is expected for eastern parts of the country after the downpours, with temperatures rising into the 30s from Friday into the weekend.

MetService said Heat Alerts were likely for parts of Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough, and possibly coastal Canterbury.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Major music act pulls out of two upcoming Kiwi festivals

Source: Radio New Zealand

One of the headline acts for two of the country’s biggest music festivals has been scratched from both events.

Norwegian electronic music duo Röyksopp had been slated to perform a two-hour DJ set at next month’s Splore festival at Orere Point.

The Grammy-nominated act comprising of Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland were also due to get behind the decks at Christchurch’s Electric Avenue a week later.

This video is hosted on Youtube.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Cricket: Late bloomer Jacob Duffy excited for first World Cup

Source: Radio New Zealand

Jacob Duffy. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd 2025

Jacob Duffy’s break out summer just got better by being named in the Black Caps squad for next month’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India.

The Otago pace bowler is set for his first senior World Cup after being included in an experienced 15-player squad.

Duffy is the only first timer in the New Zealand squad boasting 1064 T20I caps.

Duffy, the second ranked T20I bowler in the world, has been in top form for the Black Caps across the formats, finishing 2025 with a total 81 international wickets.

Veteran allrounder Jimmy Neesham will attend another world cup. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd 2025

Duffy said playing at a World Cup was something he dreamt of as a kid.

“Those are the big memories I have growing up as a youngster watching, so to be part of that is massive, and super excited and to do it in a country that is fanatical about cricket, it’s going to be an awesome experience, I can’t wait to get stuck in,” Duffy said.

He was the mainstay of the injury depleted New Zealand attack in the pre-Christmas series against West Indies and was named Player of the Test Series.

At 31-years-old, Duffy has been a late bloomer to international cricket and said he appreciated the road he’s been on.

“It’s taught me a lot about myself and my own game and I guess everything I’ve done to this point …when I’m out there I’m better for all that experience I’ve got under the belt.

“Slightly different to a young kid that might have come into the group at a young age, I come in with a bit more experience behind me and super grateful for the opportunity.”

Duffy has become a Black Caps’ regular since the back-end of the last home summer, and said the faith the team had in him, had given him confidence.

“Coming from a domestic background you don’t know how you sit but then the experience comes and you do it more regularly and you keep getting picked, which has been awesome and it just helps you feel a little bit more like you belong at this level and you can do a job for your team.”

Black Caps coach Rob Walter. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Coach Rob Walter said telling Duffy that he would be attending the world cup was special.

“Just chuffed for him like I am for every other guy who’s on the plane and then the guys who missed out, it’s always tough,” Walter said.

“Jake [Jacob] has earnt his right, I don’t think anyone would question that and the guy has really had to graft hard and work his way into a World Cup squad so he’ll be fizzing that’s for sure.”

Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Adam Milne are the other pace-bowlers in the squad with Jimmy Neesham the pace-bowling all-rounder.

Ish Sodhi is the only specialist spinner, while Santner, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra are spinner all-rounders.

Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Tim Seifert are the specialist batters. Seifert will also take the gloves in India.

New Zealand will play a white ball series in India in January before the World Cup.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Fruit fly found in Auckland suburb; restrictions in place

Source: Radio New Zealand

The single male fly was found in Mount Roskill. Supplied / Biosecurity New Zealand

A biosecurity operation is underway in Auckland after the find of a Queensland fruit fly.

The male fruit fly was in a surveillance trap and identified this morning in Mt Roskill.

Legal restrictions are now in force on moving fruit and vegetables out of the area it was found.

“As part of our response protocol over the next 72 hours we will be ramping up trapping and inspection, with daily checks in a 200-metre zone from the original find and checks every three days in a second zone out to 1500m,” Biosecurity New Zealand’s Mike Inglis said.

“Instructions about these controls, and the exact area affected, will be issued Thursday once we have completed an initial investigation. In the meantime, we ask that people who live and work in the suburb not take any whole fresh fruit and vegetables out of their property.”

Biosecurity New Zealand said the capture of a single male does not mean there is an outbreak.

But it says the community needs to help to stop any possible spread.

In Australia, the Queensland fruit fly costs growers hundreds of millions of dollars a year in damage and pest control.

They are not a risk to people.

“There have been 13 incursions of different fruit fly in Auckland and Northland since 1996 and all have been successfully eradicated thanks to the work of Biosecurity New Zealand, our horticulture partners, and local communities who have stepped up to help,” Inglis said.

Queensland fruit fly maggots eat more than 200 different types of fruit and vegetables, Biosecurity NZ said.

Adult flies lay eggs in fruit which rot when the maggots hatch.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Unexplained death: Group may have used pool at Devonport address

Source: Radio New Zealand

The unexplained death was reported on Kerr St in Devonport on January 1. NZ Police / SUPPLIED

Police are urging a group who may have been at the address of an unexplained death in the Auckland suburb of Devonport to come forward.

Officers were called to 9 Kerr Street about 11pm on New Year’s Day.

Detective Inspector Aaron Pascoe said police believe a group – including an adult and at least two children – may have visited the address earlier in the day, and used the pool.

“We do not believe these people were present at the address at the time of the death, however we are asking that they come forward to enable Police to confirm their movements and any observations they may have made.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand