More frozen meals recalled due to salmonella

Core Ingredients is conducting a nationwide recall of its Core Powerfoods frozen meals. Photo: Food Standards Australia and New Zealand.

More CORE Powerfoods frozen microwave meals are being recalled due to a link to salmonella.

The ACT Health Directorate is advising consumers to check the product and best before dates, and return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

The recall affects both 310 gram or 350 gram Going Nuts, Deep South Chilli, Muay Thai Meatballs, Holy Meatballs, Naked Chicken, Seismic Chicken, Old School and Smokey Mountain Meatballs frozen meals. The recall covers products with a best before date of between 5 March 2020 and 4 October 2020 inclusive.

The products have been available for sale at IGAs and Coles nationally and also at independent retailers in the nation’s capital.

Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said there are still only two cases of salmonella infection here in the ACT that are believed to have developed after consuming this product.

Dr Coleman said ACT Health is continuing to work closely with other state and territory health departments to investigate the infections that are thought to be associated with this product.

She said serious foodborne diseases like salmonella can easily spread from eating poorly cooked foods, which is why proper food handling when reheating pre-cooked meals is so important.

“It is important to ensure that high-risk foods like raw or undercooked eggs, meat and poultry are properly cooked,” Dr Coleman said. “As many frozen foods and pre-cooked meals are not sold as ready-to-eat products, they should always be cooked thoroughly following manufacturer instructions and re-heated until steaming hot.”

Dr Coleman said people experiencing salmonella symptoms, including fever, stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting, should see their medical practitioner.

Further information on the CORE Powerfoods frozen microwave meals recall is on the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand website. Click here for ACT Health Directorate’s salmonellosis factsheet.