Aldi recalls wooden logs over tree-killing beetle

WOODEN logs on sale in Aldi stores throughout the country have been recalled after fears they may be harbouring a beetle with the potential to devastate forests.

Aldi Stores Ireland said yesterday it issued a recall of its 10kg bags of logs as a “precautionary measure”.

There is a concern bark beetle larvae may be in the firewood, imported from Britain.

Bark beetles drill through tree barks to lay its eggs. When the larvae hatch they eat the nutrients that keep the tree alive.

Aldi said it had come to its attention the firewood, (barcode 25249064) did not comply with EC Council Directive 200/29/EC — the EU Plant Directive.

Aldi stated: “The product does not pose a public health risk.

“The potential presence of bark beetle larvae poses a threat to trees but it not a threat to wood or wood products.”

The logs were on sale as a one off ‘special buy’ on Sunday, November 6. It is believed that about a third of the 22,000 packs were sold.

“It is Aldi policy to strictly comply with all EU and Government regulations and the company is launching a full investigation into how this oversight arose,” the store stated.

Aldi is advising customers who have purchased the logs to wrap them securely in a plastic refuse bag, or something similar, and return them to their nearest Aldi store for a full refund.

Aldi said all unsold logs had been removed from its stores and processed in line with instructions from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.