Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers, verifiers and subject experts. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand coordinates and monitors food recalls in Australia, when a food is deemed unsafe for consumers and must be removed from distribution and sale. Here we round up the latest recalls affecting Australian shoppers.
Recalled May 2023
Aldi is conducting a recall of OceanRise Anchovy Fillets in Olive Oil (100g) and OceanRise Anchovy Fillets in Olive Oil with Chilli (100g). The products have been available for sale at all Aldi stores in Australia.
These products from Leggo's, Aldi and Woolworths have been recently recalled.
Why are they being recalled?
The recall is due to elevated histamine levels. Food products containing high histamine levels may cause illness if consumed.
Exactly which product(s)?
The affected products being recalled are:
OceanRise Anchovy Fillets in Olive Oil (100g)
Best before date: All date codes
OceanRise Anchovy Fillets in Olive Oil with Chilli (100g)
Best before date: All date codes
Where were they sold?
The products have been available for sale at all Aldi stores in Australia.
I ate this product. Am I at risk?
Any consumers who have consumed this product and are concerned about their health should seek medical advice.
I have this product at home. What should I do?
Do not consume this product. Return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Who should I contact for more information?
ALDI Food Recall Hotline on 1800 709 993
Phone: 1800 032 479
Patties Foods Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of Leggo’s Fresh Ricotta & Vegetable Tortellini (630g). The product has been available for sale at Woolworths in Qld.
Why is it being recalled?
The recall is due to presence of foreign matter (metal). Food products contaminated with foreign matter (metal) may cause illness/injury if consumed.
The product has been available for sale at Woolworths in Qld.
I ate this product. Am I at risk?
Any consumers who have eaten this product and are concerned about their health should seek medical advice.
I have this product at home. What should I do?
Consumers should not eat this product and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Who should I contact for more information?
Patties Foods Pty Ltd
Phone: 1800 650 069
Woolworths is conducting a recall of Woolworths Cookies & Cream Classic Ice Cream Sandwiches 4 Pack (440mL).
Why are they being recalled?
The recall is due to presence of foreign matter (Metal). Food products containing metal may cause illness/injury if consumed.
Exactly which product(s)?
Woolworths Cookies & Cream Classic Ice Cream Sandwiches 4 Pack
Best before date(s): 2 Nov 2024
Pack size: 440ml
Where were they sold?
The product has been available for sale at Woolworths in Vic, NSW, Qld and ACT.
I have this product at home. What should I do?
Consumers should not eat this product and should return the product to their nearest Woolworths Supermarket or Woolworths Metro for a full refund.
Who should I contact for more information?
Woolworths
Phone: 1800 103 515
Stuart Alexander and Co PL is conducting a recall of Hershey's Syrup Indulgent Caramel Flavour.
Why are they being recalled?
The recall is due to the presence of an undeclared allergen (milk).
Exactly which product(s)?
The affected products being recalled are:
Hershey's Syrup Indulgent Caramel Flavour
Use by dates: November 2024, batch number 60L13B2 – only those products which do not list milk as an allergen on the label.
Where were they sold?
The product has been available for sale from Drakes in SA and nationally from Woolworths, Coles, independent grocers including IGA, and convenience stores. The product was also available online through Amazon.com.au.
Am I at risk?
Any consumers who have a (milk) allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if the product is consumed.
I have this product at home. What should I do?
Consumers who have a milk allergy or intolerance should not consume this product and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Who should I contact for more information?
Stuart Alexander and Co PL
Phone: 1800 18 84 84
Bajaria Global Pty Ltd trading as The Spice Merchants is conducting a recall of four Jabsons products.
Why are they being recalled?
The recall is due to the presence of an undeclared allergen (milk).
Exactly which product(s)?
The affected products being recalled are:
Jabsons Tandoori Roasted Chana (Chick Peas)
Jabsons Tandoori Roasted Peanuts
Jabsons Roasted Peanut Thai Sweet Chilli
Jabsons Tandoori Kaju (Cashew)
Best before: 29 February 2024
Am I at risk?
Any consumers who have a milk allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if the product is consumed.
I have this product at home. What should I do?
Consumers who have a milk allergy or intolerance should not consume this product. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Who should I contact for more information?
Bajaria Global Pty Ltd trading as The Spice Merchants.
Phone: 08 9204 4225
Why do food recalls happen?
A food recall is action taken by a food business to remove unsafe food from distribution, sale and consumption. All food businesses must be able to quickly remove food from the marketplace to protect public health and safety. FSANZ coordinates and monitors food recalls in Australia.
Recalls are classified according to the problem with the food. This includes:
undeclared allergen – due to incorrect labelling, incorrect packaging or contamination of the product by an allergen
microbial – contamination with pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or parasites
foreign matter – contamination with material such as glass, metal or plastic objects
biotoxin – contamination with biological toxins such as histamine in fish and paralytic shellfish toxin in oysters
chemical/other contaminants – contamination with substances such as cleaning products, pesticides, machine oil, etc
packaging fault – where a fault in the food packaging results in contamination of the food (presence of glass/metal etc.) or a potential choking hazard.
Join the conversation
To share your thoughts or ask a question, visit the CHOICE Community forum.