The Australian agricultural sector is on high alert after finding khapra beetle larvae in imported disposable nappies distributed across supermarkets. This concerning discovery, first reported in New South Wales, has prompted action from the agriculture ministry and industry stakeholders because of the threat this pest poses to Australia’s grain exports and food security.
The Federal Agriculture Ministry confirmed on September 16 that the larvae had been found in nappy shipments and explained the immediate steps taken to deal with the infestation. Since receiving the information on September 7, the ministry has been closely collaborating with the product importer and retailer to trace and treat all affected items. Australia currently lacks the highly destructive khapra beetle, prompting urgent containment and eradication efforts.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins shared information about how the beetles likely entered the country. She explained that they are known for infesting and ruining stored food and probably “hitchhiked” in a shipping container. By September 18, tracing efforts had made some progress, but a concerning gap remained. Minister Collins told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that about 1,500 of the 2,000 affected cartons of nappies had been located, with some still possibly in circulation. She stressed the need for a thorough sweep, saying, “We want to, of course, make sure that this doesn’t take hold anywhere and we’ve got them all.”
The khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) is a small brown insect that can grow up to 3 millimetres long, posing a top biosecurity threat to Australia’s AUD 18 billion grains industry. Its larvae, which can reach up to 4.5 millimetres and have a golden-brown, hairy appearance, are most often found. The ministry has warned that if this pest establishes itself in Australia, key trading partners could refuse Australian goods, leading to severe financial losses for the sector.
Australia is a major global supplier of essential grain products, like wheat, barley, and sorghum. Xavier Martin, president of the advocacy group NSW Farmers, highlighted the potential impact of the khapra beetle. He likened the threat to a widespread outbreak of foot and mouth disease. He called for urgent action, stating, “Governments have to do everything in their power to contain and eradicate this pest, or the damage will be beyond our worst nightmare.”
The product identified with the larvae was the Little One’s Ultra Dry Nappy Pants Walker Size 5, sold exclusively by Woolworths, Australia’s largest supermarket chain. Upon receiving notification, Woolworths promptly removed all unsold stock of the affected size and brand from its store shelves and quarantined them. The agriculture ministry also issued an advisory, urging any consumers who bought similar nappies to seal them in an airtight bag and contact authorities immediately.
Woolworths identified the product supplier as the Belgian company Ontex. In a statement on September 18, Ontex acknowledged the situation but claimed it was unaware of how the larvae got there, stating there was no evidence that the introduction happened during the nappy production. As a precaution, the company suspended operations at its Eastern Creek manufacturing and warehouse facility in Sydney. Ontex stated that it will maintain this suspension until it completes thorough checks and receives confirmation that it can safely resume manufacturing and shipping.
The khapra beetle is originally from India but has spread widely across many areas in Asia, Africa, and Europe due to international trade and transport. This recent detection serves as a strong reminder of the ongoing and complex biosecurity challenges Australia faces. It emphasises that it requires increased vigilance at entry points and throughout the domestic supply chain to protect its valuable agricultural economy.
