Salads, sandwiches and wraps sold at supermarkets and petrol stations throughout New Zealand are being recalled due to the possible presence of listeria bacteria.
The Ministry of Primary Industries alerted Kiwis on Wednesday morning that LSG Sky Chefs New Zealand is recalling specific batches of products due to the risk of listeria. No reports of illness have been received by New Zealand Food Safety.
They include some of its Naturezone brands, Wild Bean Café brands, its Starbucks peri peri chicken pide, sweet chilli chicken sandwich, and chicken schnitzel sandwich. The specific brands and products affected can be found here. The use by dates of affected products include July 19, 21, 22 and 23.
New Zealand Food Safety national manager food compliance services, Melinda Sando, says customers should check the use by dates and specific product names as not all products are affected. Anyone with an affected product should throw it away or return it for a refund.
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.
"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," Sando said.
"For those in the high-risk groups, listeriosis typically has an incubation period of 2 to 3 weeks (or longer) before symptoms appear. Healthy adults are likely to experience only mild infection, causing diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms.
"If you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice."
None of the products have been exported.
