Vic listeria case linked to vegie recall

Victorian authorities say a case of listeria earlier this year shared a strain of bacteria found in European-grown vegetables, subject to an Australian recall.

A fatal Victorian listeria case has been linked to a European strain of the disease which prompted a recall of frozen vegetables across Australia.

But the patient's death earlier this year means authorities will never know if they ate the suspect vegies.

The Victorian, whose age and gender have not been supplied by the state's health department, was also being treated for another serious illness when they died.

Listeriosis is an illness usually caused by eating food contaminated by bacteria which can grow in food at refrigeration temperatures, the department said.

It is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

The 10 products being recalled in Australia contain vegetables sourced via Belgium and Hungary and are being sold in major supermarkets including Woolworths, Aldi and IGA.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand issued the recall on Monday which led to people checking their freezers for the products which may be contaminated.

"While many people will follow cooking instructions properly (which should kill listeria bacteria) we are aware that some people eat frozen vegetables straight from the freezer," the agency's acting chief executive Peter May said.

The products - details of which can be found at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au - should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund or binned.