A range of McCain frozen products including veggie nuggets, burger patties, potato bites and fries are being urgently recalled over fears they've been contaminated with a poisonous gas.
The products have been imported from overseas and have been available for sale at Indian grocery stores in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT.
Consumers are being warned not to eat these products, as they may be contaminated with ethylene oxide - a colourless, flammable gas which in sufficient quantities can cause respiratory irritation, lung injury, nausea, diarrhea and shortness of breath.
Ethylene oxide was historically used as a fumigant pesticide on crops in Australia but was banned in 2003 after evidence emerged that long-term exposure increased a person's risk of cancer.
It is still used in some other countries.
Consumers who have purchased the McCain products are being urged to return them to their place of purchase for a full refund.
Full list of recalled McCain frozen products:
- McCain Masala Fries - 420g, 1.5kg
- McCain Veggie Burger Patty - 360g
- McCain Popular Veggie Burger Patty - 1.2kg
- McCain Chilli Garlic Potato Bites - 420g
- McCain Chilli Garlic Potato Pops - 1.5kg
- McCain Aloo Tikki - 400g, 1.5kg
- McCain Veggie Nuggets - 325g
- McCain Veggie Fingers - 400g
The recall covers all expiry dates up to and including 22/08/2025.