Countdown recalls frozen veggie mix

Countdown supermarkets are recalling a frozen vegetable mix as a precaution amid fears it could contain a particularly dangerous strain of listeria that has been linked to nine deaths overseas.

The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) confirmed the recalled products have been traced back to a Hungarian facility, known to be the source of the listeria.

A Countdown spokeswoman said the supermarket had been advised there was a potential risk its Bell Farms Steam Veggies, Carrot, Corn and Broccoli bags contained the bacteria.

The company withdrew one batch of the Bell Farms frozen vegetables on Friday from all Countdown, SuperValue, and FreshChoice stores and has since recalled all batches of the product. Anyone who has purchased this product can return it to any of our stores for a full refund.

Frozen vegetables generally pose no risk if cooked correctly before eating, she said. Listeria can cause illness in pregnant woman and their unborn babies, newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

Information on the recall is available here. More information on food safety and listeria can be found here.