Craven District Council : Food safety warning – cook your frozen vegetables!

Residents and food businesses are being advised to make sure frozen vegetables are cooked following an outbreak of listeriosis in five European countries, including the United Kingdom.

The Food Standards Agency and Public Health England are reminding people that most frozen vegetables, including sweetcorn, need to be cooked before eating. This includes if adding them to salads, smoothies or dips.

Frozen sweetcorn is the likely source of the ongoing outbreak of listeriosis, a rare but serious foodborne illness.

Several supermarkets have recalled frozen products, including Tesco's Frozen Mixed Vegetables and Peppers, Lidl's Green Grocer’s Carrots, Broccoli & Sweetcorn, and Sainsbury’s Mixed Vegetables.

Richard Abdoolah, Environmental Health Team Leader at Craven District Council, said: “We would advise that people should always follow manufacturers’ instructions when preparing their food.

“If the product is not labelled as “ready to eat”, the cooking instructions should always be followed before eating the food hot or cold.

“Listeriosis is rare but it can be more serious for people with weakened immune systems and the elderly, pregnant women and infants.

“Environmental Health have contacted all known retail outlets who sell these products in our district to ensure they have been removed but if in doubt you should contact the retailer.”

For more information on the recalled products and advice on listeriosis, go to www.food.gov.uk