After last month's widespread recall of frozen vegetables for fear of Listeria infection, more frozen vegetables were recalled for the potentially fatal infection, the Times reported.
The new state food bureau says Metcash has recalled Black & Gold, a kilogram of Mixed Vegetables. sold in IGA,Campbells and Independent Grocers in new state, Victoria and tower states, for fear of potentially lethal bacterial contamination
The new state food agency said it advised consumers not to eat the product and returned it to the shops they bought for a refund.
Listeria is a common bacterium in the environment, but it can also be found in raw foods. Although most people eat foods that contain bacteria, they do not get sick, but others are infected with Listeria.
Listeria is most likely to affect pregnant women and fetuses, the elderly and people with impaired immune systems. Symptoms of Listeria infection include fever, muscle pain, and sometimes nausea and diarrhea. Although some rare, Listeria may cause fetal death.
In the most severe cases, Listeria can cause fainting and shock. If the infection spreads to the central nervous system, 1/3 patients die.
In February and March of this year, six people died of Listeria infection associated with cantaloupe.
In July, the Victoria State Department of Health confirmed that a death in February was linked to Listeria infection in Europe.
However, the Department of Health also said it could not determine whether the person's death was related to the consumption of vegetables recalled in July.
On July 9, the Australian-New Zealand Food Standards Agency confirmed that supermarkets in Australia, including Woolworths,IGA and Aldi, removed frozen vegetables from shelves because of possible Listeria contamination.
Health authorities appeal to people who are worried about their bodies to consult their doctors in a timely manner.