Warning over ethanol-soaked whitebait

Christchurch people are being warned to be careful about buying whitebait after 20kg of the delicacy that had been stored in ethanol disappeared from the University of Canterbury. The whitebait, being used for research, had also thawed on several occasions. It was discovered missing from the university on Thursday and reported to police. Some frozen barracuda was also stolen. Ethanol is a clear, colourless liquid and the principal ingredient in alcoholic beverages like beer, wine or brandy. ‘‘We’re concerned that anyone eating it could become ill and urge the person who has taken the whitebait and barracuda to discard it immediately,’’ Paul O’Flaherty, UC’s executive director – people, culture and campus, said. Anyone with information about the theft should contact the police.