The New Zealand distributor of Art Pop microwave popcorn, in which a Tauranga mother found a bumble bee and cockroach this month, says the bugs are local and no risk to biosecurity.

Welcome Bay resident Deborah Evans contacted Universal Trade after she says she found a dead cockroach and bumble bee in a packet of the microwave-cooked popcorn she gave her six-year-old daughter.

The bumble bee and cockroach discovered in a bag of popcorn.

Universal Trade managing director Dmitry Dukhovny says the company, which has supplied more than 200 supermarkets nationwide for more than 10 years, is alarmed and concerned at the consumer complaint of two different species being found in the bag of popcorn.

'After conducting our own investigation, as well as alerting MPI and seeking their assistance, we are satisfied that none of our food safety standards or our high quality supply chain standard have been breached,” says Dmitry.

'And we are confident that the two species are local to New Zealand.”

Dmitry says the company has never received a consumer enquiry of this nature before 'and we take every instance very seriously, as we have done in this case”.

'The consumer concerned has been notified and offered a replacement product for the inconvenience and concern this has created.”

Dmitry says like any supplier in the industry, the company does receive enquiries from consumers from time-to-time.

'And where our high quality standards have not been upheld, we vigorously investigate to ensure that all of our processes are being followed at every stage of the supply chain.”

At the time of the find, Universal Trade national sales manager Cameron Morris told SunLive the company has strict quality assurance and control programme.

'We are audited at least once per year and we have to have certifications for importing products,” said Cameron.

A Ministry for Primary Industries spokesperson confirmed receipt of the complaint after being contacted by Universal Trade.

'MPI identified the insects and advised that they did not pose any biosecurity risk,” says the spokesperson.

'MPI is currently assessing how the insects may have entered the packet. At this stage we cannot comment on whether any food safety breaches have occurred.”

The spokesperson says MPI receives a number of complaints about insects in food each year.

'Some general advice for consumers when buying food and storing food at home can be found on our website at www.foodsmart.govt.nz/information-for/pregnant-women/food-safety-guidelines.htm

'If consumers want to make a food complaint, or report a breach of food for sale regulations, they can do so through our website at www.foodsmart.govt.nz/food-safety/food-complaints/making-a-food-complaint.htm”