Woolworths has recalled their Frozen Savoury Rice Mix over possible listeriosis contamination.

According to a statement by Woolworths, this was done purely as a precautionary measure after a worldwide product recall issued by the Hungarian Food Safety Agency.

The Woolworths product is sourced from Belgium and contains frozen sweetcorn sourced from the Greenyard Factory in Hungary. This Greenyard Factory has been implicated as the potential source of a Listeria outbreak in Europe.

“Listeria bacteria are easily destroyed by cooking. The Frozen Savoury Rice Mix product is uncooked and frozen and so requires cooking before consumption. Thorough cooking ensures that the product is safe. We are voluntarily recalling this product as a precautionary measure, on the global instruction of the Hungarian Food Safety Agency,” read the statement from Woolworths.

According to the statement no other frozen sweetcorn or vegetable products, were affected.

“Woolworths and our suppliers proactively manage and prevent microbial contamination of food and have done so for many years. We have very strict protocols in place as part of our standard food safety management process. To verify the safety of our food products, we implement additional monitoring where we independently have our food products tested randomly. This testing includes Listeria. This product has been tested and found to be compliant,” the company said in its statement.
Customers who have purchased the product should return the product to their local store for a full refund.

For more information please contact the customer service centre at 0860 022 002 or visit www.woolworths.co.za