NZ Food Safety Boss on Balancing Speed and Risk in Approvals
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Jenny Bishop, acting deputy director-general of New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) says that Listeria is a foodborne bacteria that can make you sick.
“Listeriosis infection can be serious among pregnant people, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems,” Bishop says.
The affected products, sold by Henderson Dairy, are:
- 1 litre Farm Fresh Raw Milk batch code 240724 with use-by 28/07/24
- 1 litre Farm Fresh Raw Milk batch code 260724 with use-by 30/07/24
Bishop says these products should not be consumed.
“Return them to Henderson Dairy for a refund or, if that’s not possible, throw them out,” she says.
“Listeria differs to other harmful bacteria in that it can grow at refrigerator temperatures, so you have to be very careful about the foods you eat, or provide to others, if you or they are in a vulnerable group,” Bishop adds.
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“It is particularly dangerous during pregnancy because it can cause miscarriage, premature labour or stillbirth, and infection in the newborn baby.”
Infection in healthy adults is unlikely to be severe, at most causing mild diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms within a few days of eating contaminated food. For those in the vulnerable groups, it usually takes 2 to 3 weeks – or even longer – before symptoms appear.
If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.
“Drinking raw milk carries inherent risks as it may contain harmful bacteria that are killed through the pasteurisation process.”
The products under recall were identified through routine testing, and there have been no reports of associated illness.
“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will work with Henderson Dairy to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence,” Bishop says.
For up-to-date information about the recall, visit NZFS’s recall page: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety-home/food-recalls-and-complaints/recalled-food-products/
