A brand of tahini sold across the South Island has been recalled due to fears of salmonella contamination.
New Zealand Food Safety announced it was supporting AB World Foods Pty Limited in its recall of Al’Fez branded tahini on Saturday.
Products affected by the recall include 160g jars of Al’Fez Tahini Paste with a batch marking of 3355 and a best before date of 06/2025.
Deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said salmonellosis can be serious and that it is important people do not eat these products.
“Symptoms can appear within 12 to 72 hours and include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. 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.”
The affected product is imported from Australia and was manufactured in Poland.
It has been sold across the South Island in select Foodstuff stores and has since been removed from shelves.
Customers should return the product for a full refund. Retailers have been asked to display a point of sale notice advising customers of the recall for a month.
NZFS will be working with the business to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence, Arbuckle said.
“If you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice.”
No reports of associated illness have been made.
Tahini, made of sesame seeds, is considered to have a “high risk” of salmonella contamination, according to Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
These include the quality of water used to irrigate the seeds, the use of untreated manure as fertiliser, animal access to crops, how the seeds are dried and the cleanliness of the drying area.