Consumers have been stopped in their tracks after discovering nasty surprises such as sticking plasters, metal and pieces of glass in their food.

Of the 589 food complaints made to the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) in the year-ended September 30, 2014, just over 100 related to consumers finding foreign objects in food, according to figures released under the Official Information Act. The number of complaints about foreign items fell 28 per cent from the previous period.

The majority of those unwanted items were hidden in mixed foods, which included dietary supplements, filled rolls and sandwiches, jelly, pizza, sauces and toppings, and sushi.

Meat and meat products had the second highest number of suspect items with 12 complaints.

Click here to read the full article in The New Zealand Herald.