New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public to return Pak’n Save branded, sliced-in-store, ready-to-eat meat products purchased in Pak’n Save Blenheim as they may contain listeria bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes).
Pak’n Save Blenheim identified the presence of Listeria during routine testing and is recalling the following products sold at Pak’n Save Blenheim with a packed-on date between 06.10.20 up to and including 11.10.20.
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Pestells Ham Off The Bone
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Ham & Chicken – Farmlands
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Polish Sausage – Hellers
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Champagne Smoked Leg Ham – Premier
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Hot Pork – Farmlands
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Premier Honey Baked Ham
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Manuka Smoked Ham Round – Huttons
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Pastrami – Farmlands
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Roast Beef – Farmlands
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Corned Silverside – Farmlands
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Farmlands Pork Brawn KG
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Cooked Beef Tongue – Farmlands
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Ham & Chicken Flavoured Luncheon – Huttons
- Pak’n Save Blenheim brand Roast Beef Meal
New Zealand Food Safety national manager food compliance services Melinda Sando said it was important for consumers to check the date mark on the product label.
“Customers should return the products to Pak’n Save Blenheim for a full refund or cook thoroughly (piping hot all the way through).”
The contamination occurred at Pak’n Save Blenheim. Products from the manufacturers listed that are sold in their own packaging at Pak’n Save Blenheim or sold elsewhere are not affected.
Listeria is commonly found in the environment and can make people sick (listeriosis) if they consume contaminated food.
Infection can be serious, and potentially life-threatening, among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and their unborn babies, newborn babies, people with weakened immune systems and elderly people.
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 mild diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms.
“No reports of illness have been received, however, if you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice,” Ms Sando said.
If you or anyone in your household is in an at-risk group, it is especially important to take a few simple food safety precautions:
- Follow New Zealand Food Safety guidance on high-risk foods to avoid.
- Follow good food hygiene practices, such as washing and drying hands before preparing food and after handling or preparing raw foods.
- Eat freshly cooked or freshly prepared foods.
- Wash all raw fruit and vegetables very well before eating.
- Cook foods thoroughly.
Refrigerate leftovers immediately and do not keep for more than 2 days. Reheat to steaming hot before eating.
New Zealand Food Safety is working alongside Pak’n Save Blenheim on the recall and to establish the cause of the issue.
