GleNTi 2025: Kalymnian Brotherhood’s octopus banned from sale by NT Health
The Kalymnian Brotherhood is seeking legal advice after a government department blocked two tonnes of octopus destined for this weekend’s GleNTi Festival.
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The Kalymnian Brotherhood is seeking legal advice after a government department blocked two tonnes of octopus destined for this weekend’s GleNTi Festival.
On Wednesday evening, NT Health issued a notice to the Kalymnian Brotherhood, informing the non-for-profit organisation that their two tonnes of octopus had been deemed unsafe for consumption.
As such, the Brotherhood’s festival plans have been torpedoed, with the association having only planned to serve the $50k worth of seafood.
A NT Health spokesperson confirmed the octopus had been blocked.
“Following a thorough investigation NT Health has deemed a quantity of octopus being prepared for the Glenti Festival as unsuitable for consumption,” they said.
“The investigation found that food preparation and handling methods had breached a number of clauses in the Food Standards code.”
NT Health said it would “work with” the association to “ensure compliance”.
“NT Health takes food and public safety very seriously and this action will have a very minor impact on what is a highly anticipated community event,” the spokesperson said.
Having served octopus just last month at the Seabreeze Festival, members of the Brotherhood have expressed their anger at the late-notice decision.
One senior figure, who asked to remain anonymous, of the Brotherhood denied their food preparation practices fell below standard and called the decision “disgraceful”.
The NT News understands the Brotherhood are currently seeking legal advice.
It is also understood NT Health have directed the Brotherhood to dispose of the octopus – or government officials will take carriage of the produce and do it themselves.
It is just the second time the Brotherhood have not partaken in GleNTi since the festival’s inception in 1988.
In addition to the octopus, the Northern Territory Government in a release on Wednesday said 3.5 tonnes of souvla, 600kg of dolmades, 800kg of calamari and 12,000 souvlaki were also being prepared to feed festivalgoers.
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Originally published as GleNTi 2025: Kalymnian Brotherhood’s octopus banned from sale by NT Health
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