Urgent egg recall prompts public health warning in Tasmania

Tasmanian consumers have been told to check any eggs they have put in their shopping baskets as a recall is issued because of salmonella concerns.

Tasmanian consumers have been told to check any eggs they have put in their shopping baskets as a recall is issued because of salmonella concerns.

The warning from Tasmania’s director of public health Mark Veitch follows an earlier alert by Food Standards Australia New Zealand that Bridgewater Poultry eggs sold at Coles, Woolworths and independent stores across the country may contain microbial salmonella contamination.

One Tasmanian became ill after eating recalled eggs in February and there have been other recorded cases on the mainland.

Eggs potentially contaminated with salmonella have been recalled today across Tasmania and the recall applies to the following brands: 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 Eggs with the following Best Before dates have been recalled: March 19, March 23, March 27, March 30, April 3, April 6, April 10, April 14, April 17, April 19, April 20, April 24, April 27 and April 29.

Bridgewater Poultry is a Victorian egg supplier.

“Affected stock is no longer available from supermarkets, but it is important that Tasmanians check they do not have any of the recalled eggs in their homes,” Dr Veitch said.

“Not all eggs are affected, but if you have any eggs covered by this recall, or you have eggs in your home that might be from these brands, you should discard the eggs and egg cartons into the garbage.

“Do not dispose of the eggs into your garden and do not feed these eggs to

your pets, or livestock.

“Alternatively, the eggs can be returned to the place of purchase.”

Food products contaminated with salmonella may cause illness with symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and headache.

Symptoms can start from six to 72 hours after the contaminated food is eaten and can last for up to a week.

Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

“There have been cases of illness in mainland Australia linked to recalled eggs, and one case in Tasmania in February — this person has fully recovered,” Dr Veitch said.

Further information about the recall is available on the FSANZ website at www.foodstandards.gov.au/industry/foodrecalls/recalls/Pages/Bridgewater-Poultry-

Eggs.aspx