Urgent Recall Alert Issued for Deli Meats; Authorities Warn of Serious Health Risks
An urgent Woolworths meat recall has been issued after several deli meat products were found to pose a potential listeria contamination risk, prompting health authorities to warn consumers against eating them.
The recall, announced by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), affects Gotzinger Smallgoods-branded deli meats, including sliced silverside, roast beef, 4×4 sandwich ham, champagne ham, and provincial ham — all sold in 1kg packages.
While an earlier version of the report suggested Woolworths stores were involved, both Gotzinger Smallgoods and Woolworths have confirmed that the affected products were not sold through Woolworths retail outlets. However, due to the seriousness of the contamination risk, the incident has still sparked widespread attention under the trending term “Woolworths meat recall”, as consumers remain cautious about similar products.
Listeria Contamination Sparks Public Health Alert
The Woolworths sliced silverside recall and related deli meat recalls were triggered after traces of listeria monocytogenes were detected in samples of Gotzinger’s 1kg sliced roast beef product. Although the contamination was confirmed in only one product, the company and regulators decided to recall the entire sliced meat range “as a precautionary measure.”
According to FSANZ, the bacteria “may cause severe illness in pregnant women, newborn babies, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.”
Listeria infection can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. In high-risk individuals — particularly expectant mothers — the infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or life-threatening complications for newborns.
Consumers are urged to not consume any recalled products and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Affected Products and Use-By Dates
FSANZ has published a detailed list of the affected products under the Gotzinger Smallgoods recall, which include:
- Sliced Silverside 1kg: All use-by dates up to and including 20/12/2025
- 4×4 Sandwich Ham 1kg: All use-by dates up to and including 13/12/2025
- Champagne Ham Sliced 1kg: All use-by dates up to and including 17/12/2025
- Provincial Ham Sliced 1kg: All use-by dates up to and including 15/12/2025
- Sliced Roast Beef 1kg: All batches recalled immediately
Authorities confirmed the meats may have been sold through retail outlets and butcher shops across New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD).
Gotzinger Responds: “Limited and Unlikely Public Availability”
In a statement to 7News.com.au, a spokesperson for Gotzinger Smallgoods said that only the 1kg sliced roast beef product tested positive for listeria, but other sliced meats were also pulled “on the advice of food safety authorities.”
“These recalled sliced products are produced separately from our other ranges, and no other Gotzinger Smallgoods products are affected,” the spokesperson said.
The company emphasized that the recalled meats were intended for food service use only and had limited and unlikely public availability.
“If consumers were to come across any of these products, we advise them not to consume said products and to contact the place of purchase immediately,” the company added, thanking distributors for acting quickly to remove products from sale.
Gotzinger also confirmed it is reviewing its safety processes to prevent future contamination and maintain “the highest industry standards.”
Kmart Pop Surprise Playset Recall Also Announced
In a separate but related consumer safety development, authorities also issued a Kmart Pop Surprise Playset recall ahead of the Christmas shopping season. The recall was announced due to potential choking hazards, as small parts in the toy could detach and pose a danger to young children.
Parents and guardians are advised to check for affected batch numbers and return the toy to Kmart for a full refund or replacement.
Public Health and Retail Safety in Focus
The Woolworths meat recall and Kmart Pop Surprise Playset recall highlight the critical importance of product safety and food monitoring during the holiday season. Both recalls serve as reminders for consumers to check product labels, monitor use-by dates, and stay informed via official alerts from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
Consumers can visit the official FSANZ website for full recall details or contact Gotzinger Smallgoods for product verification assistance.
Stay Informed on Product Recalls and Food Safety
For the latest updates on consumer recalls like the Woolworths meat recall and other nationwide alerts, visit StartupNews.FYI — your trusted source for breaking food safety and retail news.
