Shoppers who recently purchased Tom & Luke Snackaballs from Coles or other major Australian retailers should check their pantries immediately.
New Zealand food safety authorities issued an urgent recall on 4th December 2025 for three flavours of the popular low-carb snack balls after customers reported finding hard plastic pieces inside the chocolate-coated treats.
The contaminated products have been exported to Australia, putting thousands of shoppers at risk.
What Products Are Affected?
New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) confirmed Smartfoods Limited initiated the Tom & Luke Snackaballs recalled action for specific batches of three flavours:
Cookies & Cream (112g)
- Best before: 11 September 2026
Hazelnut (112g)
- Best before: 3 September 2026 and 11 September 2026
Raspberry (112g)
- Best before: 11 September 2026, 15 September 2026, and 16 October 2026
These chocolate-coated snacks are packaged in plastic pouches. The recall does not affect any other Tom & Luke brand products currently on shelves.
#FoodRecall: Tom & Luke Low Carb Hazelnut Snackaballs 112g and Tom & Luke Low Carb Raspberry Snackaballs 112g are being recalled due to the presence of foreign matter (plastic). Various date markings. Sold in Coles nationally and online. See: https://t.co/Z82yBpyadx pic.twitter.com/s8A5MeHS8k
— NSW Food Authority (@NSWFoodAuth) December 5, 2025
The Contamination Source Revealed
Vincent Arbuckle, NZFS deputy director-general, explained the source of contamination came from an unexpected place.
“The source of the plastic appeared to be dried imported dates,” Arbuckle stated in official communications.
Dates form a major ingredient in the Snackaballs range. The company sources these from overseas suppliers due to local availability constraints.
Customers who discovered the plastic pieces inside their snacks immediately flagged the issue. Smartfoods responded by launching the voluntary recall.
“Smartfoods Ltd was doing the responsible thing after customers had flagged small bits of plastic in their snack balls,” Arbuckle added.
Health Risks and Safety Advice
While authorities downplayed serious health concerns, they stressed the importance of not consuming affected products.
“What we’ve seen is very small pieces. If someone has eaten it and inadvertently consumed a piece they’re so small they’d pass through in the ordinary course of events,” Arbuckle explained.
Food safety officials warn that despite the small size, hard plastic pieces could still pose risks:
- Choking hazard, particularly for children
- Potential mouth or throat injuries
- Digestive tract irritation
- Dental damage if bitten down on unexpectedly
NZFS issued clear directives: “These products should not be eaten. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If that’s not possible, throw it out.”
Anyone who consumed the recalled products and feels unwell should contact their healthcare provider immediately. New Zealanders can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free medical advice.
Australian Distribution Confirmed
The recall affects shoppers across both New Zealand and Australia. Products were distributed through selected retail outlets and supermarkets in both countries.
Australian retailers stocking Tom & Luke products include major chains like Coles and Woolworths. The brand has built a strong presence in the Australian health snack market over recent years.
Coles currently lists several Tom & Luke Snackaballs varieties on its website, with prices ranging from $2.80 to $7.50 depending on size and flavour.
Australian consumers should check their products against the affected batch numbers. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) coordinates recall information for Australian shoppers.
Second Recall for Tom & Luke in Two Months
This marks the second significant safety issue for Tom & Luke products in recent months.
In October 2025, New Zealand authorities recalled Tom & Luke brand Protein Peanut Brownie Snackaballs due to possible contamination with small metal pieces.
That earlier recall also affected Vogel’s brand granola and cereal products manufactured by Smartfoods Limited. The metal contamination stemmed from production equipment issues.
The back-to-back recalls raise questions about quality control processes at Smartfoods’ manufacturing facilities.
NZFS confirmed it will work with the company to investigate how the latest contamination occurred. “As is our usual practice, NZFS will work with Smartfoods Ltd to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence,” officials stated.
About Tom & Luke Brand
Tom Dorman and Luke Cooper founded Tom & Luke Limited in Wainuiomata, New Zealand. The personal trainer and chef respectively created the brand to provide genuinely healthy snack options for busy consumers.
The company started with gluten-free protein bars under the “Trinity” brand before developing their signature Snackaballs format.
Packet of Tom & Luke Snackaballs
Today, Tom & Luke operates a production kitchen employing around 50 staff members. They produce over one million Snackaballs weekly.
The brand focuses on refined-sugar-free, non-GMO ingredients with low allergen content. Their commitment to quality has helped them secure distribution across New Zealand, Australia, and through Amazon.com internationally.
Products are sold at Foodstuffs, Countdown, independent health food outlets in New Zealand, and Woolworths stores across Australia.
What Shoppers Should Do Now
Australian and New Zealand customers who purchased the affected products should take immediate action:
- Check your products – Compare batch numbers and best-before dates against the recall list
- Stop eating – Do not consume any affected products, even if they appear normal
- Return for refund – Take products back to your place of purchase for a full refund
- Dispose safely – If returning is not possible, throw products away securely
- Seek medical advice – Contact your doctor if you’ve consumed the product and feel unwell
Retailers have been instructed to remove affected stock from shelves immediately. Point of sale notices are being displayed in stores to alert customers.
For enquiries, customers can contact Smartfoods Limited directly or check the Ministry for Primary Industries website for updated information.
Broader Food Safety Context
Australia has experienced numerous food recalls in 2025, highlighting ongoing challenges in maintaining supply chain safety.
Recent months saw major recalls including:
- Coles salad products over E. coli contamination
- Coles peanut butter due to aflatoxin concerns
- Organic beef mince containing plastic pieces
- Aldi salad varieties contaminated with dangerous bacteria
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) coordinated 95 food recalls in 2024, representing a 16% increase from 2023.
The pattern highlights persistent challenges in quality control across Australia’s food manufacturing and import sectors. Enhanced detection systems help identify contamination earlier, but the frequency of recalls suggests underlying supply chain issues requiring continued regulatory attention.
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Final Word
The Tom & Luke Snackaballs recalled products serve as another reminder for Australian shoppers to stay vigilant about food safety.
While the vast majority of food sold remains safe, contamination incidents can occur at any point in the supply chain. Manufacturers, retailers, and regulators share responsibility for preventing these issues.
Consumers play a vital role by checking recall notices regularly and responding quickly when products are flagged. Following FSANZ updates and reliable news sources helps protect family health.
Anyone with questions about the recall should visit the Ministry for Primary Industries website or contact their customer service line on 0800 008 333.
Stay informed, check your products, and prioritise safety by returning recalled items regardless of where or when purchased.
