Woolworths extends urgent recall for line of frozen cocktail prawns to stores in three more states
Just days before Christmas, Woolworths has extended an urgent recall on one of its popular frozen seafood lines to three more states.
Woolworths has extended a total recall for its own-brand, 1kg bags of Cooked & Peeled Cocktail Prawns to every state and territory but Queensland.
The prawns originate from Thailand and the recall, from Food Standards Australia was due to “potential microbial contamination”, which “may cause illness if consumed”.
The recall originally applied to the products with a best before date of February 21, 2021 and applied to stores in Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia, as well as Woolworths Metro stores in Victoria.
However Food Standards Australia extended the recall to stores in NSW, TAS and the ACT.
This recall has been extended to include distribution to Woolworths stores in NSW, TAS and the ACT. https://t.co/d1Hsw3oJHm
— FoodStandardsAusNZ (@FSANZnews) December 23, 2020
On Wednesday, a spokesman for Woolworths said its fresh seafood and other frozen seafood products remained safe.
“Our range of fresh prawns are unaffected by the recall and perfectly safe for our customers to enjoy this Christmas.”
Food Standards Australia’s website recommended customers with food poisoning-like symptoms seek medical advice.
“Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund,” the website read.
It is the third product recall for the supermarket giant this month, following Macro Almond, Brazil and Cashew Spread 250g and Hasbro Nerf Micro Shots Hammershot Assorted toys.
In a statement about the frozen prawn cocktails on Wednesday, a spokesman also said: “Woolworths is recalling these products due to microbiological contamination. This means the product is a possible health risk and can cause food poisoning symptoms.
“Consumers should return the product to their nearest Woolworths Supermarket or Metro for a full refund. Any customers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.
“Customers should note that this recall applies to the above product with best before date 21/02/22 and no other products are affected by this recall.
“Woolworths takes product safety seriously and apologises for any inconvenience caused by this recall. Customers can call the toll-free customer service number for more information on 1800 103 515.”
Woolworths is also reimposing buying limits at about 200 of its supermarkets in the Greater Sydney area to prevent panic-buying in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in the city’s northern beaches.
The recall comes a day after Woolworths announced it had reinstated a two-pack purchase limit both in-store and online for toilet paper and paper towels across Greater Sydney.
It said the precautionary move followed an increase in demand for toilet paper in pockets of Sydney.
Woolworths said it would help ensure customers had fair access to these products over the Christmas period.