Woolworths recalls seafood salad in Western Australia after Listeria detected
Food Standards Australia warns consumers not to eat affected products with use-by dates 11–14 Sept; pregnant women and other vulnerable groups told to seek medical advice
Woolworths has issued an urgent recall of a seafood salad sold in its Western Australia stores after tests found the product was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause the illness listeriosis.
Food Standards Australia advised consumers not to eat the affected product and said any customers concerned about their health should seek medical advice. Impacted items carry use-by dates of 11.09.25, 12.09.25, 13.09.25 and 14.09.25 and can be returned to the Woolworths store where they were purchased for a refund.
Listeria monocytogenes is most commonly associated with ready-to-eat foods, including pre-prepared salads, deli meats and unpasteurised cheeses. Listeriosis can produce symptoms such as muscle aches, nausea and diarrhoea; in more severe cases it can cause headache, confusion and convulsions. The illness poses a particular risk to pregnant women, newborns, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems and can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or life-threatening illness.
Woolworths and Food Standards Australia did not provide details on how many units were affected or whether the recall stems from sampling at a store, distribution centre or production facility. The supermarket chain is offering refunds to customers who present the product at the point of purchase.
Health authorities routinely target ready-to-eat items in listeria investigations because the organism can grow at refrigeration temperatures and survive common food-handling processes. Outbreaks and recalls in recent years have often involved pre-prepared salads and deli-style products, prompting regulators to emphasise storage, handling and prompt consumption of perishable items.
Consumers who have purchased the seafood salad should check the use-by date on the packaging and discard or return any product matching the affected dates. People who have eaten the product and are experiencing symptoms consistent with listeriosis are advised to contact a health professional. Pregnant women and others in high-risk categories should seek medical advice even if symptoms are mild or absent.
Woolworths has been contacted for further comment. Food regulators encourage retailers and manufacturers to remove affected stock and to co-operate with public health investigations to prevent further cases.