A café in Sydney inner city suburb of Newtown has been fined and added to the NSW Food Authority’s Name and Shame register for not properly handling the disposal of a soy milk product that had been recalled.

The Luxe café was fined $660 by the NSW Food Authority for failing to ensure that recalled Bonsoy soy milk was kept separate from other products.

In addition to the penalty this business will now be listed on the NSW Food Authority’s Name and Shame register for 12 months.

Bonsoy soy milk was recalled from sale in December last year by its Victorian based importer after it was found to contain unusually high levels of iodine found in a kombu seaweed extract ingredient.

Last month Food Standards Australia and New Zealand advised that Bonsoy soy milk, reformulated without kombu seaweed extract, had been returned to retail shelves for sale.

NSW Food Authority inspectors investigated the Luxe café in January after it received a tip off the café was selling the recalled product. However, the NSW Food Authority said the café had not been fined for selling the product only for not separating it from other products.

NSW Primary Industries Minister Steve Whan said there had been a number of reports made to health authorities by people who had become unwell after consuming the product around the country.

“Excess iodine can cause a number of serious health problems including thyroid toxicosis, palpitations, fatigue, weight gain or loss or mental clouding,” he said.

“The priority of the NSW Food Authority was ensuring Bonsoy soy milk was cleared off shelves and out of coffee shops and cafes so consumers can dine safely and with confidence.