Sesame seeds, buns, and marinated beef have all been recalled, and warnings have been issued by the Ministry of Primary Industries.
Although New Zealand Food Safety has not yet received any notification of associated illnesses to recalled sesame seed products, there have been concerns they may contain salmonella.
Vincent Arbuckle, New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general, said that salmonellosis can be serious and that it is important that people do not consume this product.
"We have been working hard to identify and contact businesses that received the affected batch of sesame seeds from importer Davis Trading Company," said Arbuckle.
"This can be a complex process given the number of businesses involved."
A number of recalls have been issued by New Zealand Food Safety, concerning a range of food businesses.
The recall notice issued said New Zealand Food Safety was in the process of working with the food businesses to trace the product, and that further recalls were a possibility.
New Zealand Food Safety has also supported Davis Trading Company in its recall of imported Sesame Seed Kernels White Hulled retail packs, due to the possible presence of Salmonella.
These recalls have echoed the fact that food importers are responsible for the safety of the food they bring in to sell in New Zealand. All products under recall were identified through routine testing and have been removed from store shelves without being exported.
Retailers of affected recalled products must display a copy of the point of sale notice in store for one month. This is available from the Ministry of Primary Industries’ website.
Arbuckle said that if customers can not return it to the place of purchase, they should throw it out.
"Symptoms of salmonellosis appear within 12 to 72 hours and include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. The illness usually lasts between four and seven days but, in more severe cases, it can go on for up to 10 days and cause more serious illness."
More news here.
