The Australian Food Standards authority circulated a warning on Friday after a microbial contamination was detected in the product.

The ham has been sold in a brown cardboard box with Victor Churchill illustration, or a white cardboard box with Vic’s Meat illustration.

The best before date on the recalled meat is 29/01/2019.

The product is available for purchase from Simon Johnson, Victor Churchill and Vic’s Meat stores in NSW, Queensland and WA.

Infection with the Listeria bacteria can cause serious illness and in some cases death, particularly in vulnerable people such as pregnant women and their unborn children, newborn babies, the elderly, and people with compromised immunity.

Symptoms of listeriosis may include headache, fever, tiredness and aches and pains. Less common symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea and abdominal cramps.

In a post on its Facebook page, Vic’s Meat said: “Your health and trust is our first and last priority. The issue with our hams, relates to only a small batch of our award winning bone - in half leg hams, with the remote possibility they may contain the listeria virus.”

Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.