Sausages recalled from Coles amid listeria contamination fear
An urgent public health alert has been issued over the discovery of listeria in a mettwurst range made in South Australia.
Food manufacturer Kalleske Meats has recalled its Plain Mettwurst 500g and bonus 150g products with a best before date of May 11, 2020 as a precaution after a testing on another product made on the same day turned up traces of listeria.
The sausage product has been sold at Coles stores across South Australia in plastic shrink-wrap. Consumers who have bought the item are advised to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
According to Food Standards Australia, listeria may cause illness in pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
Dr Fay Jenkins from SA Health told 9News symptoms of listeria infection can take up to six weeks to appear after eating contaminated food.
“We received confirmation that Kalleske Meats has detected listeria during routine testing on a product currently on hold at the business, but as a precautionary measure they are initiating a recall on the other products made on the same day,” she said.
“Many people are exposed to listeria with often only mild illness resulting, but it can be more serious in the at-risk groups.
“As a precaution, we recommend anyone who has purchased this product from a Coles supermarket not to eat it, and either return it to the place of purchase, or discard it.”
Kalleske Meats said the finding was an “isolated incident” and no other batches have been affected.
“As a small family business we take great pride in our quality product and our standards and the safety or our customers is paramount, which is why we have decided to go ahead with the recall,” the company said in a statement.