A New Zealand salad company is recalling batches of three of its products sold in Foodstuffs stores around the country out of concern it may contain listeria bacteria.
Speirs Foods, which is based in Marton, is recalling batches of its Hawaiian Pasta with Creamy Dressing, Chicken Caesar Penne and Loaded Potato sold in plastic containers in Four Square, New World and Pak'nSave stores. Chicken Caesar Penne and Loaded Potato are also sold from Foodstuffs in-store deli counters. Specific details of the products being recalled can be found here.
In a statement, the Ministry of Primary Industries said New Zealand Food Safety had not received any reports of illness.
According to the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS), listeria is a common bacteria widely found in dust, soil, water, plants, sewage and animal droppings. It can be transmitted through infected food.
Melinda Sando, the New Zealand Food Safety national manager of food compliance services, said people who purchased the product should throw it away or return it for a full refund.
"Healthy adults are likely to experience only mild infection, causing mild diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms," Sando said.
"However, listeriosis infection can be serious among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and their unborn babies, newborn babies, people with weakened immune systems, and the frail and elderly.
"For those in the high-risk groups, listeriosis typically has an incubation period of two to three weeks (or longer) before symptoms appear.
"If you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice," says Sando.
