Goods recalled in Blackball Salami listeria scare

Blackball Salami Company owner Pat Kennedy says it has been a "gut-wrenching" experience recalling pre-cooked products from the well-known smallgoods company because of a listeria scare.

Internal food safety checks conducted by the company last Thursday showed potential infection by listeria bacteria and Mr Kennedy recalled cabana, chorizo, bier sticks, chicken breasts, whole chickens, cabanossi and pastrami.

He told NZPA there had been no reports of illness, and the recall showed the safety systems worked, but the experience had still been gut-wrenching.

The company had reported the recall to community health authorities in Christchurch.

"We've kept on the market the products which are cooked before consumption, such as fresh sausages, and those that have a manufacturing process where listeria is not a factor, such as salami," he said.

The recalled products -- mostly sold through New World, Pak n' Save, Supervalue, Moore Wilson's and Fresh Choice shops -- were largely off the shelves before those shops opened this week.

Blackball Salami started manufacturing in 1992, and has developed a reputation for novelty smallgoods, such as buffalo salami sold at the Hokitika wild foods festival.

- NZPA