More milk products urgently recalled from Woolworths supermarkets over botulism fears

The recall of a brand of alternative milk sold in Woolworths stores across the country and linked to a case of botulism this week was expanded, with two lines of oat milk and one almond milk pulled from shelves.

Customers have been urged to dispose of the product or return it to the store for a full refund for fear of potential biotoxin contamination.

The one liter bottles of JS Health x Inside Out Unsweetened Almondmilk Collagen + Calcium + Prebiotics, Unsweetened Oatmilk Collagen + Calcium + Prebiotics and Barista Oatmilk Collagen + Calcium + Prebiotics with expiration dates up to and including May 18 are affected.

A recall notice issued by Food Standards Australia said the product was not properly labeled with storage instructions, posing a potential contamination and illness hazard to consumers.

“The product is not labeled with instructions to ‘keep refrigerated,'” the notice said.

“Unrefrigerated this product can lead to microbial growth and biotoxin contamination that can cause illness or injury if consumed.”

Botulism is a rare but deadly disease caused by toxins that attack the nerves in the body.

The alternative milk brand sold in Woolworths stores across the country is linked to a case of botulism this week

Investigations by NSW Health found traces of botulinum toxin in a milk sample.

“The NSW Food Authority is investigating the manufacture of the product to determine the possible cause of the contamination,” said a statement from NSW Health published earlier in the week.

NSW Health is calling on people to check the products in their fridge and cupboards.

The botulism-related recall for the brand applies only to products sold in NSW stores, with an expiration date of 1 March 2023.

A recall notice issued by Food Standards Australia said the product was not properly labeled with storage instructions, posing a hazard of potential contamination and illness to consumers (pictured, Almond milk from the inside out (collagen + calcium + prebiotics) 1 L)

“While foodborne botulism is very rare in Australia, the toxin can be extremely dangerous and can cause life-threatening illness,” said NSW Health One Health branch director Keira Glasgow.

The first symptoms can take hours or days to appear and include weakness, fatigue and dizziness.

They are often followed by blurred vision, dry mouth, and difficulty swallowing.

Nausea and vomiting may also occur.

“These symptoms can progress to paralysis of the muscles of the arm and continue through the body to the trunk and legs, and paralysis of the respiratory muscles can be fatal,” said Ms Glasgow.

“We urge anyone who has consumed this product and is experiencing these severe symptoms to seek immediate medical attention by visiting the nearest emergency department or calling triple 0 (000) for emergency assistance.”

Most cases of foodborne botulism recover if diagnosed and treated early.