Plant-based chicken product banned – but remained for sale

Alternative protein giant Impossible Foods was banned from importing its chicken nuggets in January, but they have been removed from Woolworths stores only recently.

Woolworths has voluntarily pulled a plant-based chicken nugget product containing a banned substance from its shelves, amid confusion over whether or not the product can still be sold in Australia.

The supermarket giant took the Impossible Foods’ product out of its fridges, despite not being told to do so by authorities or the manufacturer, after it was revealed the vegan nuggets contained an added vitamin not permitted in soy-based foods in Australia.

Department of Agriculture officials put a hold on imports of the product after they detected the additive – calcium panthothenate, the calcium salt of water-soluble vitamin B5 – during a random search in January.

Woolworths only learnt of the adverse finding last week; a spokesman said the company was still trying to get to the bottom of the situation.

“We’re in contact with the supplier but we have moved to withdraw the product from sale while we receive more information about the import ban from the relevant authorities,” he said.

However, it is unclear where responsibility for the product – which has been imported into Australia since 2022 – now lies.

A Department of Agriculture spokesman said it was up to the department to check the safety and compliance of imported foods at the border.

However, “post-border, the state and territory food regulators are responsible for regulating food that is for sale” and “under domestic food legislation, food businesses selling food in Australia are responsible for ensuring food for sale is safe, suitable and compliant with Australia’s food standards.”

Impossible Foods plant-based chicken nuggets have been banned.

Under local regulations, calcium salt is prohibited from being added to soy-based products. Vitamins and minerals can only be added to food sold in Australia if allowed under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, as excess amounts can be harmful.

The department also confirmed that a holding order was issued against Impossible Foods under the Imported Food Control Act 1992, which means all future consignments from the producer of the nuggets will be referred for inspection to verify compliance.

Where there is a serious risk to public health and safety, states and territory food regulators can require a food business to take recall action.

However, the majority of recalls in Australia are initiated by a food business.

The spokesperson said that, “in this scenario, it is unlikely that the importer will consider recall action necessary”.

The rate that food is referred for inspection under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme is based on risk. The department spokesperson said so-called surveillance food, including products such as Impossible Foods’ Chicken Nuggets, have a five per cent chance of being referred for inspection.

“Under imported food legislation, food importers are responsible for ensuring foods they are importing are safe and compliant with Australia’s food standards. The Imported Food Inspection Scheme checks importers are meeting these legal responsibilities,” he said.

Authorities in the US have not placed a similar ban on adding calcium panthothenate to soy-based products.

NSW Farmers Poultry Manager Dave Banham said it was concerning that synthetic versions of popular childrens’ foods were failing to meet food safety standards.

“You want to be sure that the food you’re giving your kids is safe to eat,” he said.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, the Victorian Department of Health and Impossible Foods were contacted for comment.