Henderson Dairy Recalls Raw Milk Batches Over Listeria Concerns

The affected batches are:

• 1 litre Farm Fresh Raw Milk batch code 240724 with use-by 280724
• 1 litre Farm Fresh Raw Milk batch code 260724 with use-by 300724

Jenny Bishop, Acting Deputy Director-General of New Zealand Food Safety, confirmed that the contamination was identified through routine testing, with no reported illnesses associated with these products.

"New Zealand Food Safety is collaborating with Henderson Dairy to investigate the source of the contamination and to implement measures to prevent future occurrences," Bishop stated.

Listeria poses a significant health risk to pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Bishop emphasized the importance of not consuming these products and recommended returning them to Henderson Dairy for a refund or disposing of them safely if a return is not feasible.

“Listeria can grow at refrigerator temperatures, so it is crucial to be cautious about the foods consumed, especially by vulnerable groups,” she added. The infection can lead to severe outcomes during pregnancy, such as miscarriage, premature labor, stillbirth, or newborn infections. While healthy adults might experience only mild symptoms, those in vulnerable groups could face serious health risks.

Bishop also highlighted the inherent risks of consuming raw milk, as harmful bacteria eliminated during pasteurization may still be present.

"If you have consumed this product and are concerned about your health, contact your healthcare provider or call Healthline at 0800 611 116 for free advice," she advised.

Photo by rnz.co.nz