Supermarkets in the UK and Australia have recalled some frozen vegetable products over fears that they could contain listeria.
Greenyard Frozen, the company at the centre of the scare, has recalled frozen vegetables from its Hungary plant which were produced between 13 August 2016 and 20 June 2018. In the UK, a total of 43 sweetcorn-based products have been withdrawn by Greenyard.
The firm stressed that the recall does not imply that the products are contaminated. In a statement, it said: “This measure is taken in the framework of potential listeria contamination of frozen products produced in its Hungary-based facility in Baja. It relates to a specific type of listeria, which might incur health risks in case frozen vegetables are not properly cooked before consumption.”
The UK’s Food Standards Agency has issued a reminder to consumers to ensure they cook most frozen vegetables before eating them. It said that frozen sweetcorn is “the likely source” of the listeria outbreak.
Listeria is a foodborne illness caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes that can be more serious for individuals which have weakened immune systems and also the elderly, pregnant women and infants.
Hungarian authorities banned the marketing of all frozen vegetable and frozen mixed vegetable products produced by the affected plant between August 2016 and June 2018, and ordered their immediate withdrawal and recall. The European Food Safety Authority said: “This last measure is likely to significantly reduce the risk of human infections and contain the outbreak. All freezing activity at the plant has been stopped.”
The recall has also affected retailers selling Greenyard Frozen products in Australia. Woolworths, IGA and Aldi have all pulled products from their stores.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today warned vulnerable people to check their freezers for recalled frozen vegetable products that are possibly contaminated with listeria monocytogenes.
Acting FSANZ CEO Peter May said: “The products affected contain a particularly dangerous strain of listeria and are being recalled as a precautionary measure to ensure consumers are protected, but particularly vulnerable populations.
“While many people will follow cooking instructions properly (which should kill listeria bacteria) we are aware that some people eat frozen vegetables straight from the freezer and there is a risk of some people not cooking produce properly.”
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024