'It wasn’t mine': Woman claims chocolate almond contained rotten tooth

An Auckland woman fears for her health after claiming she bit into a chocolate almond containing what she suspects was a rotten human tooth. 

At least two investigations are underway days after North Shore resident Irene Atia made the startling discovery in a small sealed nut package she had bought from a supermarket earlier this month. 

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) confirmed it was following up on the complaint, and Woolworths told the Herald it was treating it as a “matter of urgency”. 

Atia said she came across the disturbing find in a pack of Atkins Endulge Chocolate Almonds, which she bought online from Woolworths Browns Bay a few days earlier. 

Pictures of the suspected tooth show a small yellowed tooth-shaped object with dark staining and red flecks. 

A spokesperson for Atkins’ parent company, The Simply Good Foods Company, said they received a report about the find on October 9. 

“We immediately initiated a comprehensive investigation with the manufacturer, which includes both ingredient and processing records.” 

‘It felt a bit hard’ 

It was Atia’s first time buying the product, which contained packets of chocolate almonds. 

“I was sitting there and just enjoying each one, and then one of the almonds didn’t feel right; it felt a bit hard,” Atia said. 

“I spat it out.” 

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She claimed she discovered the suspected tooth in the chocolate, where the almond was supposed to be. 

“The first thing I checked [was] my teeth to check it wasn’t mine.” 

Thankfully, all her teeth were intact. 

She said the suspected tooth appeared “rotten” and had two red stains that seemed like “very dry blood”. 

Atia said she knew the foreign item was a tooth because she could see the enamel. 

She said the “horrible” bite worried her because the tooth may have carried disease or viruses, and she did not want to get sick. 

An Auckland woman claims she bit into a chocolate almond containing a rotten human tooth. Photo / Irene Atia 

After the discovery, Atia said she alerted Atkins, Woolworths and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). 

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) acting deputy director-general Jen Radich told the Herald that NZFS received a complaint about possible foreign matter in a packet of chocolate almonds. 

“We are following up. As we do in all cases, if there is a food safety issue, we will take the necessary actions to manage the issue,” Radich said. 

An Auckland woman claims she bit into a chocolate almond containing a rotten human tooth. Photo / Irene Atia 

A Woolworths NZ spokesperson said they were investigating and had contacted their supplier about the product. 

“It is being treated as a matter of urgency.” 

In the meantime, the spokesperson said they were refunding the customer and had contacted them last week. 

“At Woolworths New Zealand, we take food safety very seriously, and we expect the highest standards of the products on our shelves. 

“We are concerned to hear about our customer’s experience.” 

The spokesperson for Simply Good Foods said it was committed to conducting a thorough review and would take appropriate action based on the findings. 

“We take all consumer complaints seriously and remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety, product quality, and consumer trust.” 

The spokesperson said they contacted the consumer and were collaborating with the MPI as part of the ongoing investigation.