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Several ham products have been recalled after fears they could be contaminated with listeria.
The recall was initiated by Pestell's Rai Bacon Company after testing by a customer identified listeria in products.
The affected packaged ham products are specific batches of Pestell's Champagne Ham, cooked ham on the bone,boneless ham, boneless ham pieces, and sliced ham off the bone.
They are sold at some New World, Pak'n Save and Four Square supermarkets in the South Island, as well as other retailers nationwide.
The company also stocks sliced ham at some supermarket delicatessens.
Pestell's Rai Bacon Company's Ham on the Bone, one of multiple products recalled by the company. Photo / MPI
Pestell's sliced ham with a use-by date up to and including December 7, 2020 is affected and these products will be marked Pestell's on the in-store applied label.
NZ Food Safety national manager food compliance services Melinda Sando said customers should return the products to stores for a full refund.
"Listeriosis infection can be serious among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and their unborn babies, newborn babies, people with weakened immune systems and elderly people,
"For those in the high-risk groups, listeriosis typically has an incubation period of two to three weeks (or longer) before symptoms appear.
Healthy adults are likely to experience only mild infection, causing mild diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms, she said.
Pestell's Boneless Rolled Ham is one of the products including in the recall. Photo / MPI
Anyone who has consumed any of these products and is concerned about their health should seek medical advice, Sando said.
NZ Food Safety said alternatively customers can cook the products thoroughly which ensures the products are safe.
For the large hams, this means an internal temperature of 75 degrees Celsius, it said.
So far NZ Food Safety has identified five affected products and several retailers, and there may be further recalls issued as a result of NZ Food Safety inquiries.
