Inappropriately shaped lollies on sale exclusively in the South Island have been branded offensive and recalled from shops. The confectionery included sweets shaped in the form of male genitals as well as gummy bear shapes with a penis, reports the Otago Daily Times.
Dutch Rusk managing director Willem Van de Geest, of Nelson, said the Stoke confectionery company imported 7200 bags of mixed gummy lollies, called Dragon Sweets, from a Chinese manufacturer about six weeks ago. The lollies were distributed to shops in the lower South Island.
About two weeks later, complaints started coming in about the lollies, Van de Geest said.
He was unaware ”inappropriate” lollies were inside the bags. He said the lollies were a ”one-off” and he had recalled and dumped thousands of bags. ”It won’t happen again.”
Van de Geest said he had imported lollies from around the world for 25 years and an offensive lolly had never been included in a mix before.
The manufacturers had sent him a letter apologising for the mistake and had refunded some money.
The lollies were originally designed for sale in England and were not considered offensive in Asia.
In Asia, the shape was considered a sign of fertility and health, he said.
