Finland's largest retail chain, the S Group, says that listeria bacteria has been detected on frozen maize sold under its house brand, Rainbow.



The product, 450-gram packages of Rainbow's frozen sweet corn, has been pulled from store shelves.

Listeria bacteria was found in one batch of the product, which has been sold at S Group stores this month. The batch has a best-before date of 06.01.2019 - 09.06.2019 and an EAN code of 6414890300050.

"Safe if cooked properly"

The S Group says that if the product would have been safe to use if it was been heated properly according to the instructions on the package.

However it says that anyone who bought the product should dispose of the contents and return the empty package or label for a refund, preferably to the point of purchase. It can also be mailed with the buyer's contact information and bank details to the following address: S-Kuluttajaneuvonta, tunnus 5020470, 00003 Vastauslähetys.

The S Group operates Sokos, Prisma, Sale, Varuboden and ABC retail outlets as well as several restaurant chains.

Eating food contaminated with listeria can cause listeriosis, starting one to four weeks after consumption. The infection can cause fever, diarrhoea and other symptoms. It is most likely to affect pregnant women and newborns, adults aged 65 or over, and people with weakened immune systems.

