A popular school lunchbox staple has been pulled from shelves across Coles, Woolworths and ALDI, after pieces of black rubber were discovered in some Milo snack bars, prompting a nationwide recall and health warning for consumers.
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) issued the recall notice for selected batches of Nestlé’s Milo Dipped Snack Bars and Milo Original Snack Bars, citing the presence of foreign matter that may pose a risk of illness or injury if consumed.
The affected products were sold at major retailers including ALDI, Coles, Woolworths and independent stores such as IGA across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, as well as through online outlets.
Authorities warned consumers not to eat the products and advised returning them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
“Food products containing black rubber may cause illness or injury if consumed,” FSANZ said in its notice, urging anyone concerned about their health after eating the bars to seek medical advice.
Manufacturing fault behind contamination
Nestlé Australia said the issue was linked to an equipment failure at a contract manufacturing facility, which caused small pieces of black rubber to become dislodged during production.
The company has not reported any confirmed injuries linked to the contamination but said the recall was issued as a precautionary measure to protect consumer safety.
Food recalls are typically initiated when foreign materials — including plastic, rubber or metal fragments — are detected in food products, as they can present choking hazards or cause internal injury.
Products affected
The recall applies to the following items with best-before dates of end August 2026:
- MILO Dipped Snack Bars — 270g, 960g and 160g boxes (batches 5316TD15, 5317TD15, 5318TD15, 5321TD15, 5322TD15)
- MILO Snack Bars Original — 210g box (batches 5323TD15, 5324TD15)
Consumers who have purchased the affected products are urged to check packaging for the specified batch numbers.
Consumer advice
Authorities say customers should avoid consuming the recalled snack bars and return them to retailers for a refund. Anyone experiencing symptoms or concerned about potential exposure should consult a health professional.
Further information is available through Nestlé Australia’s customer service lines or the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand food recall website.
The recall highlights ongoing food safety monitoring processes designed to identify and remove potentially hazardous products from the market.
Published 20-Feb-2026
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