Listeria outbreak: Meat company is 'concerned'

Bay Cuisine Ltd and its staff were "very concerned" about traces of listeria being found in some of their products, joint managing director Simon Wills said in a statement last night.

Recall notices had been placed in newspapers across the country to advise the public that the products listed had the potential to be contaminated with listeria, and should not be consumed.

The Hawke's Bay based manufacturer and wholesaler operates from Onekawa, Napier. As well as Hawke's Bay Hospital, it supplies a range of restaurants, clubs, schools, rest homes, wineries, bakeries and large food manufacturers throughout New Zealand. They supply many types of meat, as well as a range of small goods.

"As a precautionary measure, we felt it best to recall all products in the market until our investigations are complete. We are working closely with the staff of the Ministry for Primary Industries responsible for food safety in New Zealand to identify the source of contamination.

"Currently, we are waiting on the results of an independent review of our food preparation procedures."

The voluntary product recall was for "ready to eat" products. The statement said Bay Cuisine wholesale and commercial customers had been contacted directly by the company and the products recalled.

"We pride ourselves on our ability to meet the highest standards of food safety. The company and our staff are very concerned about the situation and, regardless of the listeria's source, we want to ensure the public is protected.

"As far as the public recall is concerned, we expect it will be completed over the next few days. People with recalled product will be refunded in full."

The products in question are sold in Mad Butcher stores throughout New Zealand. The ham products were sold in Preston stores in Wellington, Porirua and Palmerston North.

Both Mr Wills and co-director Garth Wise did not respond to Hawke's Bay Today's phone calls last night.

Mad Butcher owner Mike Morton said the product recalled from his stores had been minimal, and it was not confirmed they were infected.

"Obviously it would concern anybody if you have to do a recall of any product. It is basically because our products are done in the same factory. We're just the retailer at the end of it."

Recalled products

• 
  Mad Butcher 500g salami and pepperoni rolls with "best before" dates of up to and including August 17, 2012.
• 
  Ratanui whole, half and champagne cooked on the bone hams with "best before" dates of up to and including September 12, 2012.
• 
  Plain-packed EZY Carve boneless leg ham pieces, and whole with "best before" dates of up to and including September 9, 2012.