People are being urged not to consume certain sesame seeds due to a possible salmonella contamination.

New Zealand Food Safety is assisting Davis Trading Company with the recall of their imported Sesame Seed Kernels White Hulled retail packs, batch number AAI/3890 and P.O. No 780004.

"Salmonellosis can be serious, so it’s important that people do not consume this product," said deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

"If you can’t return it to the place of purchase, you should throw it out."

The affected sesame seeds are sold at Davis Food Ingredients in Auckland and distributed to supermarkets and smaller retailers nationwide.

New Zealand Food Safety is working with Davis Trading Company to trace the product, and further recalls are possible.

Symptoms of salmonellosis, which appear within 12 to 72 hours, include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

The illness usually lasts between 4 to 7 days but can extend up to 10 days in severe cases.

If you have consumed the product and are concerned, contact your health professional or call Healthline on 0800 61 11 16.

No illnesses have been reported so far.

The product, imported from India, was identified through routine testing and removed from store shelves.

"As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will work with Davis Trading Company to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence," Mr Arbuckle added.

For updates and more information, visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page.