Australian confectionery maker Darrell Lea has conducted a thorough investigation after customers reported mould contamination in its popular Rocklea Road chocolate range.
Customer complaint sparks investigation
A Sydney mother contacted the company after her children bit into chunks of Rocklea Road and noticed an unusual taste. Upon closer inspection, she discovered mould mixed among the toasted coconut, peanuts, and marshmallows.
“My children spat the chocolate out, complaining it tasted like ‘smelly cheese’,” the anonymous consumer told 7NEWS.com.au. “When I took a look at the Rocklea Road, I noticed there was mould. It was a just-opened pack.”
The packet had a best before date of September 2, 2026. She said she called Darrell Lea’s customer service line and was told the company had been “inundated” with similar complaints. “I’m surprised they have not recalled the product,” she added.
Company response
Darrell Lea said it was aware of a “small number” of reports related to certain 290g packs of Rocklea Road and had conducted a thorough investigation. “Based on our findings, this appears to be an isolated issue affecting a very small number of products, and no similar concerns have been identified across subsequent production runs,” a spokesperson said.
The 99-year-old confectionery maker emphasised its commitment to quality: “Darrell Lea maintains rigorous quality and food safety standards across all of our manufacturing sites, and we remain committed to delivering products of the highest quality. As a gesture of goodwill, consumers who have purchased an affected product and contacted our customer service team will receive a voucher.”
Food safety authorities
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has noted that mould-contaminated products should not be eaten as they “may cause illness”. However, FSANZ does not investigate individual complaints; enforcement falls to state and territory authorities.
A NSW Food Authority spokesperson said they had received no reports regarding mould in Darrell Lea chocolate. “Anyone with food safety concerns is encouraged to contact their medical provider, as well as report those concerns to their local food authority.”
The company has not issued a recall, and no further production issues have been identified.
