Listeria death amid widespread frozen vegetable recall

Victoria’s Department of Health has issued a statement about a listeria-related death linked to the same strain which has prompted a widespread frozen vegetable recall.

A person being treated for an unrelated serious illness died earlier this year after contracting listeria with similar genetics.

The DHHS said it was not possible to confirm whether the deceased consumed any of the frozen vegetable products currently pulled from Australian shelves.

“The family has requested that no further details be released,” the statement said.

It comes as Belgium-based company Greenyard Frozen Belgium NV has recalled include frozen corn, carrot, broccoli and mixed vegetable bags from Woolworths, IGA and ALDI stores.

Listeria can be particularly harmful for vulnerable members of the community, including pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

For a full list of the recalled frozen vegetables, see the list below.

LIST OF RECALLED FROZEN VEGETABLE PRODUCTS

Woolworths:

- Essential snap frozen mixed veg (1kg): Carrots, peas, corn, green beans & potatoes – Best Before March 19, 2020-April 24, 2020

- Bell Farms Steam Veggie Carrot, corn and broccoli (3 pack, 450g)

Metcash (IGA):

- Black & Gold Corn Kernels – all Best Before dates

- Black & Gold Mixed Vegetables (1kg): Carrots, peas, beans & corn – all Best Before dates

ALDI:

- Market Fare Peas, Carrots and Super Sweet Cork (1kg)

- Market Fare Corn Kernels (1kg) in QLD, VIC, WA and select NSW stores – product of Hungary only

- Market Fare Mixed Vegetables (1kg) in QLD, NSW, ACT, WA – packed in Belgium from imported and Belgium ingredients only

- Market Fare Quick Steam Carrot, Broccoli and Cauliflower (450g)

- Market Fare Quick Steam Carrot, Corn and Broccoli (450g)

Only ALDI products with country of origin Belgium, Hungary or the United Kingdom are affected by the recall.