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Shigella in food

Shigella in food What is it?

• Shigella is a type of bacteria that can be found in the gut of humans and other animals
• Shigella can get into food from the faeces (poo) of an infected person or animal, for example from poor hand washing or contact with sewerage or manure

• Shigella can cause a type of gastro called shigellosis
• Shigellosis is contagious
• Sometimes illness can cause seizures and longer-term problems such as arthritis
• Anyone can get shigellosis but it is more likely that very young children and the elderly could get seriously ill
• People with poor personal hygiene may be more likely to get shigellosis
• People traveling to countries with poor…

  Published 23 December 2020

Norovirus in food

Norovirus in food What is it?

• Norovirus is a group of viruses that can be found in the gut of people
• Norovirus can get into water and food from the faeces (poo) or vomit of infected people, for example from unwashed hands
• Norovirus can stay infectious in the environment for a long time and might not be destroyed by common disinfectants

• Norovirus can cause gastro illness and is highly contagious
• Anyone can get gastro from norovirus even if they have had it before
• Very young children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems (e.g. cancer patients) can get seriously ill from dehydration
• Foods at higher risk of contamination include shellfish (e.g. oysters)…

  Published 23 December 2020

Yersinia in food

Yersinia in food What is it?

• Yersinia is a type of bacteria that can be found in the gut of pets, livestock and wild animals
• Yersinia can get into soil, water and food from the faeces (poo) of animals, for example from grazing animals or manure fertiliser

• Yersinia can cause a type of gastro called yersiniosis
• Anyone can get yersiniosis but young children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems are at highest risk
• Foods at higher risk of contamination are pork, unpasteurised milk and raw vegetables

• Symptoms usually start 4-7 days after eating contaminated food
• Common symptoms are fever, diarrhoea (often bloody in young…

  Published 24 December 2020

About food recalls

About food recalls A food recall is action taken by a food business to remove unsafe food from distribution, sale and consumption. All food businesses must be able to quickly remove food from the marketplace to protect public health and safety. FSANZ coordinates food recalls in Australia. In New Zealand, food recalls are coordinated by the Ministry for Primary Industries. FSANZ cannot order or force a recall because it has no enforcement powers. These powers rest with the jurisdictions. However most recalls are initiated by food businesses. Please note: the information below applies only within Australia. Find out about the latest food recalls All consumer level recalls are…

Published 19 September 2023

Tempo Foods - various Fresh Milk 2L

Tempo Foods - various Fresh Milk 2L Date published: 27 October 2023 Update published: 31 October 2023 Product information Tempo Foods is conducting a recall of Fresh Milk. The products have been available for sale at Coles, Woolworths and independent retailers in VIC and NSW​. Problem The recall is due to microbial (E. coli) contamination. Food safety hazard Food products contaminated with E. coli may cause illness if consumed.​ Country of origin Australiaz What to do​ Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice. Customers should return the product to the place of purchase for a full cash refund. For further information please contact: Tempo Foods +613 95880200…

Published 27 October 2023

Cultivate Food and Beverage - Chocolate Apricot Biscuits 350g

Cultivate Food and Beverage - Chocolate Apricot Biscuits 350g Cultivate Food and Beverage are conducting a recall of the above product. This recall only applies to those products that do not declare the allergen listed below. The product has been available for sale in independent food retailers including IGA in NSW, VIC, TAS, SA and NT.  Date Marking: Best Before 23/12/25 Problem: The recall is due to the presence of an undeclared allergen (cashew) Food safety hazard: Any consumers who have a Cashew allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if the product is consumed. What to do: Consumers who have a Cashew allergy or intolerance should not consume this product. Consumers should return…

Published 13 March 2025

Stuart Alexander & Co Pty Ltd - Hershey's Caramel Syrup 623g

Stuart Alexander & Co Pty Ltd - Hershey's Caramel Syrup 623g Product Information Stuart Alexander & Co Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of the above product. The product has been available for sale at Coles and IGA stores in NSW and Qld. This product was also available in SPAR stores Qld and Woolworths stores nationally. Date Marking: 08 2025 Problem The recall is due to the presence of an undeclared allergen (Milk). Food safety hazard Any consumers who have a milk allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if the product is consumed. What to do Consumers who have a milk allergy or intolerance should not consume this product. Consumers should return…

Published 14 December 2023

Common food safety terms

Common food safety terms We have put together a list of common food safety terms and what they mean. Contaminant Something that shouldn't be in food and can make the food unsafe to eat. Examples are harmful chemicals, physical objects (e.g. glass, metal fragments) and microorganisms ('germs', bacteria, viruses, parasites - see definition below). Cross contamination When harmful microorganisms or chemicals spread between food, surfaces, hands or equipment. For example, if a cutting board used to prepare raw chicken is then used to prepare salad vegetables, microorganisms from the chicken juice on the board will spread to the salad. Because the salad won't be cooked, the microorganisms will not be killed before it is eaten. Environmental sample A small…

Published 22 December 2020

Georgia Food Pty Ltd - LOTTE PEPERO almond and white cookie 128g

Georgia Food Pty Ltd - LOTTE PEPERO almond and white cookie 128g Product information Georgia Food Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of LOTTE PEPERO alomond and LOTTE PEPERO white cookie. The product has been available for sale at Asian grocery stores in NSW. Problem The recall is due to the presence of undeclared allergens.  LOTTE PEPERO almond - sesame LOTTE PEPERO white cookie - tree nut (almond), sesame and peanut Food safety hazard Any consumers who have a sesame, tree nut (almond) or peanut allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if these products are consumed. Country of origin South Korea What to do consumers who have a tree nut (almond), sesame or peanut allergy or intolerance…

Published 6 July 2023

Limits for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods

Limits for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods There are mandatory limits for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. These limits are set out in Standard 1.6.1 and Schedule 27 of the Code. The limits apply based on whether growth of L. monocytogenes will or will not occur in the RTE food:

• for RTE foods in which growth of L. monocytogenes will not occur, the limit is less than 100cfu/g.
• for RTE foods in which growth of L. monocytogenes will occur, L. monocytogenes must be undetectable in 25g.
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Published 31 July 2014