Popular eggs recalled across the country after salmonella contamination strikes five people

An contaminated farm has been shut down and hundreds of thousands of eggs recalled after an outbreak of a “rare” salmonella strain.

Hundreds of thousands of eggs across the country are being recalled amid concerns of salmonella contamination, forcing a major Victorian egg farm to close.

Five people have been struck down by salmonella, including two who were hospitalised, in cases that are suspected to be linked to eating eggs from Bridgewater Poultry.

The egg products are sold in Woolworths, Coles and other independent retailers across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania, but Coles is the least impacted.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand issued the warning this morning concerning Woolworths 12 Cage Free Eggs 700g, Victorian Fresh Barn Laid Eggs 600g, Victorian Fresh Barn Laid Eggs 700g, Victorian Fresh Barn Laid Eggs 800g, as well as Loddon Valley Barn Laid 600g in Victoria and South Australia only.

⚠️ Food recall ⚠️ Bridgewater Poultry is recalling various barn laid eggs and cage free eggs in ACT, NSW, Vic., Tas., and SA. The recall is due to potential Salmonella Enteriditis contamination https://t.co/XoaQSF8D1a #FoodRecallAu #FSANZ #FoodRecall #SalmonellaSE pic.twitter.com/NYVDl3a8C9

— FoodStandardsAusNZ (@FSANZnews) March 20, 2019

Health authorities have urged people with any potentially affected eggs to return them for a refund or bin them and not place them in the compost or garden.

Bridgewater Poultry has been blocked from operating while authorities investigate the outbreak.

Victoria’s chief health officer Brett Sutton said it was possible hens at the farm would have to be destroyed to eliminate the source of the salmonella contamination.

The farm, in Bridgewater On Loddon, about 40km northwest of Bendigo, was inspected on Monday by Agriculture Victoria officers and identified as “contaminated”.

Further tests carried out on Wednesday prompted the egg recall.

The farm remains under surveillance and is expected to have further swabbing and testing over the weeks ahead.

Dr Sutton said the strain of salmonella - salmonella enteritidis - was rarely found in Victoria, which made it a particular concern.

“It’s like an exotic pest. It’s the cane toad of salmonella,” he said.

“We’ve never had an outbreak of this size (in Victoria).”

Dr Sutton said the biggest concern was that it could infect the egg before the shell was formed.

The five cases of ill patients with salmonella enteritidis dates back to January and includes people ranging in age from their 20s to their 80s.

Dr Sutton said there could be more affected patients.

The symptoms included headaches, dehydration, nausea, fever and diarrhoea and in the most severe cases could lead to death.

The eggs being recalled for potential salmonella contamination.

There had been about 800 cases of salmonella in Victoria so far this year but only a minority were salmonella enteritidis - and most of those patients had been travelling overseas, Dr Sutton said.

No other egg products sold by Coles are affected by the recall, and no Coles Brand products are affected.

“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.

“It is important to know that not all eggs are affected, but any 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.

“These eggs should not be given to pets or livestock.”

Food products contaminated with salmonella can cause severe illness if eaten.

Any people concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

Poultry may carry bacteria such as salmonella that can contaminate the inside of eggs before the shells are formed.

Eggs can also become contaminated from the droppings of poultry through the laying process or from the environment through contaminated poultry feed or bedding.

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.

In January there were 412 cases of salmonella according to NSW Health data.

In September last year a horror outbreak of food poisoning from eggs struck down at least 23 people.

- Additional reporting from The Herald Sun

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Originally published as Popular eggs recalled across the country after salmonella contamination strikes five people