Egg farmer says salmonella contamination ‘not my fault’
A FARMER whose eggs have been linked to 23 cases of salmonella poisoning has said “it’s not my fault, bro”.
NSW
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A FARMER whose eggs have been linked to 23 cases of salmonella poisoning has said “it’s not my fault, bro”.
The Glendenning Farms worker, who did not give his name, said he has been in the business for 20 years without a hitch.
“Even the Food Authority said it wasn’t my fault,” he told The Sunday Telegraph from the farm in Cobbity, in south-west Sydney.
“It is something to do with the birds. Some birds have been flying in from overseas, landed on the shed and chucked a sh*t.”
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The farm is run by company Eggz on the Run and the Osman family.
Their lawyer, Raed Rahal, said they are “shell-shocked by the news as it is their livelihood”.
“They would certainly not do anything to risk anyone’s safety,” Mr Rahal said of the family.
“We are not even certain that the outbreak is in the eggs.
“The strain is from overseas. There was only a certain batch that was supposed to be removed but the company has voluntarily decided to remove all batches of eggs.”
Mr Rahal said the outbreak was traced to one Sydney bakery, although he is unsure of its location.
Sydney consumers are being told to avoid the eggs after those diagnosed presented with food poisoning from Salmonella enteritidis.
The NSW Food Authority is working with NSW Health to investigate the cases which occurred in a cluster and says the company, Eggz on the Run, is undertaking a voluntary recall of the eggs.
The recall relates to Glendenning Farms whole shell eggs with best before dates: 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 and 29 September 2018 and 1 October 2018.
The recall relates to eggs sold in cartons and bulk trays in NSW only.
“The NSW Department of Primary Industries has issued a biosecurity direction on the farm to restrict movement of livestock, eggs, manure and disposables and order the disinfection and decontamination of equipment,” a NSW Health statement said.
“This direction will be in place while further investigations are underway.”
Salmonella enteritidis symptoms include fever, headache, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, usually about six to 72 hours after the contaminated food is eaten.
Consumers have been advised to either bin the eggs or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Proof of purchase for a recalled item isn’t required.