Tasmanian salmon linked to two deaths in listeria outbreak

UPDATED: Tasmanian salmon has been linked to the deaths of two elderly people in an outbreak of a foodborne illness.

TASMANIAN smoked salmon has been implicated in the deaths of two elderly people from the foodborne illness listeria.

Federal chief medical officer Brendan Murphy said the deaths had occurred in New South Wales and Victoria.

“The Australian Government Department of Health in collaboration with jurisdictions is currently investigating three cases of Listeria infections occurring in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales, he said.

“All cases occurred in people aged over 70 years and all had significant underlying health conditions.

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“Unfortunately two people — from NSW and Victoria — have died.

“Investigations have implicated smoked salmon as the likely source.”

Listeriosis is an illness usually caused by eating food contaminated by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.

An outbreak of the disease in 2018 linked to rockmelons killed six people.

Most people develop only mild symptoms, though pregnant women and their unborn babies, newborn babies, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems can be at increased risk.

Two people are dead after eating Tasmanian smoked salmon.

Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett confirmed Tasmanian salmon products were the source of the outbreak.

“The evidence that I’ve been provided from the department is that apparently that is the case,” he said.

He would not reveal further information.

“I won’t go into those details,” he said.

“That’s obviously a very important matter but what I will say is that the Department of Primary Industries has investigated the matter.

“There has been no breach of the law in terms of food safety in the production of salmon in Tasmania and to say that food safety is a top priority for our government.”

A Tassal spokesman said the company “is not aware of any evidence that links our products with the two deaths referenced in the media release”.

“Tassal products have not been deemed unsafe, nor has it breached the Food Standards Code,” he said.

“Tassal manufacturing protocols and policies comply with and often exceed all required standards set by the Australian Federal and State Government authorities and the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code.

“These are supported by the regulator, the Tasmanian DPIPWE as well as multiple independent third party audits.

“Tassal has invested significantly in commercial laboratory equipment that allows it to voluntarily test product more frequently. Tassal tests multiple samples of cold smoked products every day.”

Petuna Aquaculture said its cold smoked salmon “has been recently tested (and is regularly tested) and returned no positive results for listeria and no breaches of any national food safety standards”.

Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett and Premier Will Hodgman assured the public that Tasmanian salmon was safe to eat.

Director of Public Health Service Mark Veitch said the best way to avoid listeria is to eat freshly cooked or freshly prepared food.

“As the cases referred to by the Chief Medical Officer occurred in other jurisdictions, I am unable to comment on details,” he said.

“There have been no notified cases of listeria infection in Tasmania so far in 2019.”

Premier Will Hodgman said investigations had already cleared the Tasmanian producers involved of any breach of national health standards.

“I’ve been briefed in relation to this matter. First and foremost obviously I would extend the state’s regret at the deaths that have occurred,” he said.

“Secondly, and most importantly, I’m advised that Tasmania’s salmon processors have been investigated by our Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, the public health officer now has also been involved to assure Tasmanians and the suppliers and indeed the recipients of Tasmanian salmon as to the quality of that product.

“I’m advised that the investigations have determined that there have been no breaches of national health standards by Tasmanian companies and obviously these matters will be further investigated by not only our authorities but indeed interstate and national bodies as well.”

Greens health spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff said a thorough investigaiton was needed.

“A clean bill of health seems premature. Blameless people have died after eating Tasmanian farmed salmon,” she said.

“Until the source is identified and information made publicly available, public confidence in the safety of Tasmanian salmon will be negatively affected.

“There should be a rigorous health safety testing regime across the supply chain from pens to final product. This testing needs to be urgently undertaken by the State’s Health Department, with full transparency and public reporting.

“People should be able to eat Tasmanian food with confidence that it will not make them unwell.”

Tassal shares opened on the Australian Stock Exchange at $5.10 on Wednesday and ended the day up two cents. Huon Aquaculture shares also rose by two cents to $4.82.