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Salmonella-linked lettuce hits suppliers of pre-packaged food and sandwiches Number of salmonella cases in Victoria linked to lettuce doubles to reach 54
(about 3 hours later)
A salmonella outbreak affecting pre-packaged lettuce sold at Coles and Woolworths has spread wider than first thought. The number of suspected salmonella cases in Victoria linked to pre-packaged lettuce has almost doubled.
Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services has received reports of 28 cases of the Salmonella anatum strain linked to pre-packed lettuce distributed by a Victorian-based company, Tripod Farmers. Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services has received reports of 54 cases of salmonella anatum strain linked to pre-packed lettuce distributed by Victorian-based company Tripod Farmers.
The figure has rapidly grown since news of 28 cases came on Thursday afternoon.
Anyone who has bought any of the affected lettuce mixes with a best-before date on or before 14 February should return them to the store, or throw them out.
Related: Salmonella linked to lettuce sold in Coles and Woolworths sparks gastro outbreakRelated: Salmonella linked to lettuce sold in Coles and Woolworths sparks gastro outbreak
Anyone who bought any of the affected lettuce mix with a best-before date leading up to 14 February should return it to the store or throw it out. Senior medical adviser Finn Romanes said on Thursday the Victorian department had been assured there was no risk associated with the products after that date.
“We’ve been assured that there’s no risk associated with the products after that date,” a senior medical adviser, Dr Finn Romanes, said on Thursday. Tripod Farmers managing director Frank Ruffo said the company had been given the go-ahead by health authorities to resume business after a site inspection at its Bacchus Marsh plant.
Originally the outbreak was said to affect only the pre-packaged lettuce sold at supermarkets, but Lite n’ Easy customers have been warned the lettuce recall will affect some lunches in its menu this week. “We apologise to our customers and anyone affected by this recall,” Ruffo said on Friday. “We are shocked at the test results because we put public safety first and foremost and comply with all Australian health and safety standards.”
It has now dumped the lettuce supplier. Originally the outbreak was said to affect only the pre-packaged lettuce sold at supermarkets, but Lite n’ Easy customers are now also warning the lettuce recall will affect some lunches in their menu this week. Lite n’ Easy has dumped the lettuce supplier following the recall.
Sandwiches sold at 7-Eleven have also been recalled.Sandwiches sold at 7-Eleven have also been recalled.
There are unconfirmed reports the affected lettuce has also been used in souvlakia and burgers made at a Victorian school canteen. Mentone girls grammar school said souvlaki and burgers sold at its canteen on Thursday used some of the potentially tainted lettuce.
The managing director of Tripod Farmers, Frank Ruffo, said the company was working closely with health authorities. “We felt really unlucky about the whole thing. We ran out of lettuce and nipped down the road,” acting school president Kay McCulloch told 3AW.
“We are shocked at the test results because we put public safety first and foremost and comply with all Australian health and safety standards,” he said. “It was used in 18 souvlakis or burgers, but no girls have reported feeling sick.”
The acting chief executive of Ausveg, Jessica Lye, would not comment on what caused the outbreak because an investigation was under way.