A batch of mouldy butter has been recalled by the local distributors after the food authorities established that the best-before dates were misleading.

The fungal growth that sprouted on some 227-gramme tubs of Double Devon Butter may have been caused by a fault during manufacture or inadequate storing of the milk-based product, the director at the Department for Environmental Health, John Attard Kingswell, said when contacted.

The recall of the butter batch was ordered after a consumer filed a complaint at the department.

Since the product was "excessively mouldy" there was no health hazard because consumers would immediately realise something was wrong with it.

Investigations showed part of the consignment had two durability dates on the label and was misleading. Consequently, the department instructed the importer to recall the product.

The Food Safety Commission has informed the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed.

This week, distributors Alfred Gera and Sons Ltd published notices asking anyone who purchased the butter with two specific best-before dates, June 24 and August 21, to return them to the company's Qormi offices for a full refund. The company said it regretted any inconvenience.

Efforts to contact the company were unsuccessful.