Steinlager NZ issues recall for incorrectly labelling beers as alcohol-free

A batch of Steinlager Ultra Low Carb 24-packs is being recalled because some bottles have the wrong label. 

While the box says 4.2% alcohol, a few bottles inside are mistakenly marked as alcohol-free, which can cause a serious mix-up once you’ve stocked the fridge.

The affected 24 x 330ml packs have a best-before date of 21/10/26 and were sold across the country at supermarkets, bottleshops and hospitality businesses.

Vincent Arbuckle, deputy director-general at New Zealand Food Safety, says this recall is especially important for anyone avoiding alcohol for medical, cultural, or lifestyle reasons.

People avoiding alcohol should not consume this product. They can return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

The affected products have now been pulled from shelves, and it’s been confirmed that none of the stock was exported.

 Steinlager took to Instagram to spread the word about the recall. 

“We are deeply concerned about the impact this mistake may have on anyone who shouldn’t be consuming alcohol,” the brand wrote.

“The affected product can be identified as a clear bottle with a label marked ‘Steinlager Alcohol Free’ displayed on the front. Steinlager Alcohol Free is only ever sold in green bottles, not clear bottles.”

If you’ve already had a sip and are worried, the Ministry of Primary Industries suggests checking in with your health professional or calling Healthline for free advice.

New Zealand Food Safety is working with Lion NZ (LION) Limited to figure out how this happened and to prevent it from happening again.