21 March 2019

Eggs recalled from ACT due to salmonella concerns

| Glynis Quinlan
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Bridgewater Poultry is conducting a recall of five egg products, including those shown above, due to concerns about potential salmonella contamination. Photo supplied by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand.

A range of egg products is being recalled from the ACT and several states due to concerns about potential salmonella contamination.

Victorian-based Bridgewater Poultry is conducting a recall of five products including eggs sold in the ACT through Woolworths and independent stores.

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton said that the Department had identified five cases of illness which could be linked to a strain of salmonella – Salmonella Enteritidis – detected in the eggs.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand said the egg products being recalled are packaged as Woolworths 12 Cage Free Eggs 700g (barcode 9300633636982), Victorian Fresh Barn Laid Eggs 600g, Victorian Fresh Barn Laid Eggs 700g, Victorian Fresh Barn Laid Eggs 800g, and Loddon Valley Barn Laid 600g (the latter is sold only in Victoria and South Australia).

The best before dates for the eggs are: 20 MAR 19, 23 MAR 19, 27 MAR 19, 30 MAR 19, 3 APR 19, 6 APR 19, 10 APR 19, 14 APR 19, 17 APR 19, 20 APR 19, 24 APR 19, 27 APR 19, 29 APR 19.

The products have been available for sale at Woolworths and independent stores in the ACT, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania and through Coles in Victoria and South Australia.

Dr Sutton said all other eggs are safe to eat, provided people follow the usual requirements to cook eggs thoroughly.

“People should avoid raw egg products particularly if they are vulnerable such as those with compromised immune systems, under two or over 70 years of age or pregnant,” Dr Sutton said.

Dr Sutton said it is important for people to know that not all eggs are affected, but anyone who has eggs carrying the listed brands should return them to the point of sale for a full refund.

“Alternatively, they can be discarded by throwing them into the garbage, not the garden or compost,” he said. “These eggs should not be given to pets or livestock.”

Dr Sutton said salmonellosis symptoms include fever, headache, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Symptoms usually start around six to 72 hours after the contaminated food is eaten and usually last for four to seven days but can continue for much longer. If you have immediate health concerns, contact your medical professional.

Agriculture Victoria has placed controls on the Bridgewater Poultry business preventing them from selling eggs while the possibility of salmonella contamination is being investigated.

“We’d just like people to check and if they do have any of these eggs they should return them or throw them out to avoid any risk of food poisoning,” Dr Sutton said.

 

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