Salmonella scare: Everything you need to know

MORE than 50 people have fallen ill with salmonella after eating toxic lettuce from a contaminated Victorian farm. Here’s everything you need to know, including the FULL LIST OF PRODUCTS.

CUSTOMERS have been warned against eating pre-packaged lettuce purchased in Coles and Woolworths supermarkets amid fears it may contain salmonella.

The toxic lettuce, spinach and salad products were stripped from supermarket shelves after 28 people fell violently ill after eating them.

That number has now almost doubled, with 54 people reportedly suffering from salmonella relating to the infected lettuce products.

The outbreak, which originated at Tripod Farmers’ Bacchus Marsh farm, has spread to other states and food companies.

Food delivery service Lite n Easy have recalled some of its meals.

While 7-11 revealed their sandwich supplier had been affected by the outbreak and while they had been assured their food wasn’t affected, they had pulled the sandwiches from stores as a precaution.

Mentone Girls Grammar School Acting Principal Kay McCullough confirmed the canteen had sold burgers and souvlaki that potentially contained the infected lettuce.

There have been no reports of students or staff falling ill as yet.

A second unnamed state school is also said to have used some of the contaminated products during a food lesson.

People with affected products with a best-before date leading up to and including February 14 are urged to return them or throw them out.

RELATED: TOXIC SALAD VICTIM’S ‘ABSOLUTE AGONY’

MORE PAIN: WOMAN ALLEGEDLY FINDS GIANT SPIDER IN WOOLIES SALAD BAG

Fifty four cases of salmonella have now been reported in Victoria, including at least one child.

The Herald Sun understands the two sickest patients, both from Victoria, spent several days in hospital after eating lettuce grown by Tripod Farmers, one of Australia’s biggest growers.

Meal delivery company Light n’ Easy has confirmed some of its meals were affected.

“We are contacting all customers who have received any affected lunches via email and SMS with further instructions,” the company said via Facebook.

“Customers in WA are NOT affected by the recall as a different, local supplier is used there.

“We would like to assure all of our customers that we have taken immediate steps to replace the lettuce supplier in question with a new supplier and that any salad meals in next week’s menu (Week B) will not be effected by the current recall.”

Australian fresh food home delivery company Aussie Farmers Direct also confirmed it was recalling seven of its mixed salad products.

“If you have any of these products, we ask that you do not consume them, instead please leave the product out with your esky to be collected upon your next delivery. We will refund your account the full value of these recalled lines,” the company said in an email to customers.

The full list of recalled products.

Department of Health senior medical adviser Dr Finn Romanes said anyone who had become sick with six-72 hours of eating a ready-bagged lettuce product should seek medical advice to determine if they have been infected with salmonella.

In a statement Coles said it had taken immediate steps to remove from sale seven prepacked products in Victoria, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and South Australia following “a number of cases of salmonella infection potentially linked to these products”.

“Any Coles prepacked lettuce with a use by date on or after 12 Feb. 2016 is safe to consume,” the supermarket said.

“Coles is also liaising with the supplier and the regulators regarding further steps.

“Customers can return the products to Coles supermarket for a full refund and any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

“We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience.”

Woolworths said it was recalling five products in Victoria, NSW and the ACT.

Woolworths spokesman Russell Mahoney said it took “customer safety very seriously” and had acted on advice from Victorian authorities.

“Any customer who believes they may be suffering from any symptoms should seek medical advice,” he said.

Customers could return products for a full refund.

FEELING A LITTLE GREEN?

Symptoms of salmonellosis usually occur between six and 72 hours after ingesting the bacteria, with the most common being diarrhoea (which may contain blood or mucous), fever, headache, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, especially among infants and the elderly.

In rare cases, septicaemia (local infection) may develop as a complication of salmonellosis.

Anyone who has become sick within six to 72 hours of eating a ready-bagged lettuce product should seek medical advice and have a stool test to determine if they have been infected with salmonella.

www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au