NZ Muscle apologises, admits to ‘packing and labelling issues'

Just hours after claiming they had “nothing further to add” in a statement to rova, NZ Muscle have shared a follow-up apology for labelling and packing issues across multiple products.

The statement comes on the heels of a bombshell YouTube investigation that made serious allegations against the supplement brand, including claims of misleading customers, relabelling products and engaging in unhygienic manufacturing practices.

Here is the statement provided to rova in full:

“NZ Muscle carries over 1,400 lines of product. An internal review has identified labelling and packing issues across three product lines: No Brand, NZ Muscle, and Shotgun Creatine.

Labelling issues were present in one NZ Muscle isolate product sold in 2020 and prior. That product has not been in circulation for approximately six years.

Non-compliant packing was identified across No Brand Isolate, No Brand Whey Plus, No Brand creatine products, NZ Muscle Creatine, and Shotgun Creatine. Affected creatine products have been removed from sale across online and retail shops. All remaining listed creatine products have been packed to the required standard. NZ Muscle creatine has been independently tested for banned substances through HASTA, with the latest results due on 26 June.

No Brand Whey Plus and No Brand Isolate products that were relabelled inappropriately have been removed from sale. NZ Muscle apologises for these issues and invites affected customers to request refunds directly.

NZ There is no regulatory investigation underway, and no regulator has contacted the company. NZ Muscle will cooperate fully with any investigation and rejects any other claims made against its products or processes. The company holds a current food registration under the Food Act 2014.”

ICYMI - NZ Muscle is the subject of an investigation conducted by Kiwi YouTube group Kino House Investigates.

In the 40-minute video, multiple claims are made, including: Not disclosing expiry dates in sales, hiding legitimate negative customer reviews, making misleading ‘high protein’ claims on their product, relabelling products and unhygienic/unlicensed manufacturing and packing practices.

Following rova’s initial reporting on the independent investigation, NZ Muscle reached out with a statement, saying the brand “is aware of the video”, providing HASTA (Human and Supplement Testing Australia) results, as well as a manufacturer’s declaration.

The brand added: “We have nothing further to add at this time.”

NZ Muscle is yet to publicly address the allegations on its own platforms.