Recalls issued as New Zealand authorities probe illnesses

Oysters and dried cured meats have been recalled in New Zealand as part of two separate foodborne illness investigations.

Te Matuku Oysters has recalled certain batches of Premium Export Grade Pacific Oysters as they may contain norovirus.

Affected products have use-by dates of Aug. 27 and 29, 2024. They are oysters in half shell, 1 dozen in a clear plastic tray and 200-gram oyster meat in a glass jar.

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) said it had received reports of potentially associated illnesses and was investigating. 

Recalled products were identified after officials spoke to people who became ill to determine the cause of their illness. Putaki Bay oyster farm is currently closed.

NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said the oysters should not be eaten raw.

“You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Alternatively, you can cook the oysters until the internal temperature of the oysters reaches 90 degrees C (194 degrees F) for 90 seconds to kill the virus. If that’s not possible, throw them out,” he said.

“Norovirus is highly contagious so, if there is a sick person in your household or workplace, you should regularly clean and disinfect all surfaces, especially in the bathroom. Unwell people should avoid handling food. Everyone should also clean their hands with hot, soapy water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer will not destroy the virus on its own.”

NZFS is also following up on reports of illness involving products sold by Safari Meats and SA Shop.

All batches and dates of 13 dried and cured meat products have been recalled due to a lack of food safety controls at the producer.

Traditionally dried and cured products must be subject to controls as the process of making them does not involve a high-temperature cooking step that kills bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.

Affected products were sold at the Safari Meats and SA Shop in Christchurch, through their online store, and at a number of other retailers but not in supermarkets.

Other recalls
Also in New Zealand, Delmaine Fine Foods and Woolworths brand antipasto products have been recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Implicated items are sold at supermarkets and retail outlets throughout the country.

There have been no notifications of associated illness. Products under recall were identified through routine testing and they have been removed from store shelves.

Finally, Magnolia Dairy has recalled unpasteurized, raw milk as it may contain Campylobacter.

The affected product is Magnolia Dairy brand fresh whole full cream certified organic raw milk with use-by dates between Aug. 13 and 25, 2024. It was sold through a vending machine at Magnolia’s site in Silverdale, Auckland.

The issue was identified through routine testing and there have been no reports of connected illnesses.

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/08/recalls-issued-as-new-zealand-authorities-probe-illnesses/