The discovery of Listeria has prompted a recall of a brand of mettwurst, a strongly flavoured type of German sausage, sold through Coles Supermarkets in South Australia.
SA Health says the bug was found during routine testing at the Kalleske's Meat's plant in Adelaide and all mettwurst produced on the same day has been recalled as a precaution.
The order applies to plain mettwurst sold in plastic shrink wrap at Coles supermarkets in Port Lincoln, Burnside, Salisbury, Port Augusta, Gawler, Parabanks and Paralowie.
"While we have not received notification of anyone contracting Listeria from the product, the infection can be extremely serious if it is contracted by elderly people, pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems," health and wellbeing director Fay Jenkins, from SA Health, said.
"As a precaution, we recommend anyone who has purchased this product from a Coles supermarket not to eat it, and either return it to the place of purchase or discard it."
Listeria infection starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea and sometimes diarrhoea.
People can start experiencing symptoms within a few days, but they can take up to six weeks to appear.
Australian Associated Press