An urgent but precautionary recall on many of our favourite brands of frozen vegetables is underway due to the possible risk of Listeria.
Passed on through food, Listeria Monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause the dangerous illness listeriosis. Worryingly, you can contract listeriosis and not even know it – the disease killed six people in NSW and Victoria earlier this year.
Listeria monocytogenes symptoms
According to Women’s Weekly, symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes can include a headache, fever, tiredness and aches and pains. Diarrhoea, nausea and stomach cramps are less common. In severe cases, symptoms may progress to meningitis and blood poisoning. Pregnant women may have very mild symptoms, but the infection can lead to serious consequences, such as miscarriage or premature birth.
People more at risk of developing listeriosis include pregnant women and their unborn babies, newborns, elderly people who are frail, and anyone whose immune system has been weakened – for example, cancer patients or people with Aids, diabetes or kidney disease. Listeriosis symptoms usually appear within two to 30 days of eating contaminated food, but it can take as long as two months for signs to show up.
The following frozen vegetable products have been recalled:
Woolworths – Essentials snap frozen mixed veg 1kg: Carrots, peas, corn, green beans & potatoes National distribution. Best before dates 19 MAR 2020 through to 24 APR 2020
Woolworths – Bell Farms Steam Veggie Carrot Corn and Broccoli 3pk 450g – National distribution, all stock
IGA – Black & Gold Corn Kernels 500g – National distribution. Best before all dates
IGA – Black & Gold Mixed Vegetables 1kg: Carrots, peas, beans & corn – National distribution. Best before all dates
ALDI – Market Fare Peas, Carrots and Super Sweet Corn 1kg – National distribution
ALDI – Market Fare Corn Kernels 1kg QLD, VIC, WA and select NSW stores. Product of Hungary (only)
ALDI – Market Fare Mixed Vegetables 1kg QLD, NSW, ACT, WA. Packed in Belgium from imported and Belgian ingredients (only)
ALDI – Market Fare Quick Steam Carrot Broccoli and Cauliflower 450g – National distribution
ALDI – Market Fare Quick Steam Carrot Corn and Broccoli 450g – National distribution
ALDI – Only products with country of origin of Belgium, United Kingdom or Hungary. All other countries not affected
If you are worried or feel you may be at risk of listeria monocytogenes, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
