Lab tests shed light on ‘rotten human tooth’ found inside chocolate almond

A New Zealand Food Safety investigation has revealed what the suspected tooth-like item found in a chocolate almond was.

Last month an Auckland woman bit into a chocolate almond containing what she suspected was a “rotten human tooth”.

Irene Atia was enjoying the Atkins Endulge Chocolate Almonds but one felt hard, and she spat it out. To her horror she discovered a small, yellowed, tooth-shaped object with dark staining and red flecks.

She said it appeared “rotten” and had two red stains that seemed like dry blood.

New Zealand Food Safety acting deputy director-general Jenny Bishop said results of a laboratory analysis could not conclusively identify the mystery object.

“Although the look and chemical composition suggest a possible dental implant or related dental material, this cannot be determined conclusively,” Bishop said.

The object found in the chocolate almond. Photo / Irene Atia

She said “dental material” could include a tooth.

Atkins’ parent company, The Simply Good Foods Company, told the Herald it concluded its investigation and shared the findings with New Zealand Food Safety and the consumer.

“We have no additional comments,” a spokesperson said.

‘Highly unusual situation’

Bishop said that while this was a “highly unusual situation”, New Zealand Food Safety’s investigation determined there was no evidence the object presented a wider food safety risk to consumers.

“The single complaint and foreign matter type suggest this is a one-off issue.”

Bishop said the product was made in Australia and the relevant authorities have been informed.

After New Zealand Food Safety informed Atia of the investigation results, she said it made her feel “horrible”.

She was worried because the item might have carried disease or viruses, and she did not want to get sick.

The tooth-like object. Photo / Irene Atia

In correspondence with Atia, shared with the Herald, The Simply Good Foods Company detailed its “comprehensive investigation”.

“A review of the manufacturing process found no credible pathway for such foreign material to become embedded during production, and no employee dental incidents were identified.

“Additionally, as you know from your discussions with MPI [Ministry for Primary Industries], laboratory analysis determined that the foreign object is not consistent with a natural tooth,” it read.

The Simply Good Foods Company told Atia the discovery of the material was “highly unusual” and inconsistent with the controls in place to prevent and detect foreign materials.

“Despite a comprehensive investigation, we were unable to conclusively determine its origin.”

The Simply Good Foods Company apologised for the concern it caused.