News

An email was sent out to all food businesses across the state by the NSW Food Authority. This email was to inform food businesses of their newly released guidelines on how navigate the COVID-19 crisis. The guidelines discuss the food safety effects from COVID-19, workforce impacts of the pandemic and practical actions that food businesses can take to protect their staff. Key things every food businesses needs to know Important points shared in the published i…

Since December 2019, a novel (new) coronavirus has spread and has been reported in 60 countries worldwide. It was first reported in Wuhan City, China, which has seen the highest number of infected people and deaths from the virus. Currently, the amount of cases in Australia is low, and the most up-to-date status of worldwide cases can be found in the World Health Organization’s situation report, which is updated daily. As of February 2020, the virus has been off…

A study was conducted by researchers at Flinders University on minced lamb from a supermarket in South Australia. In the study, 79 samples of 500g lamb mince packages were purchased three times per week for six months, between April and September 2017. The result was the discovery of Toxoplasma gondii in more than one third of the minced lamb that was sampled. The presence of Toxoplasma gondii is not limited to South Australia. Researchers indicate that their f…

Epicurean Dairy Limited, which makes dairy products under "The Collective" brand, and its former directors have been fined $483,000 NZD for repeatedly failing to report positive Listeria results taken from the company's factory in Avondale. Epicurean Dairy Limited, whose products include yoghurt, puddings and ‘suckies' for children, and the company's former general manager, Angus Allan, pleaded guilty to 10 charges of failing to report positive environmental Li…

Salmonella Hessarek, South Australia The Communicable Diseases Intelligence (CDI) journal — a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the Department of Health — has released a report on the rare Salmonella serotype that caused an outbreak in Australia from 2017 to 2018. The report, authored by a team of researchers from the Department for Health and Wellbeing, SA Health, examines a protracted outbreak of Salmonella hessarek (S. Hessarek) infection linked…

In February, 2019, an outbreak of salmonellosis in South Australia was linked to three Angkor Bakery stores in northern Adelaide. Following an investigation by SA Health, raw egg butter was determined to be the source of the outbreak. By the end of the outbreak, 58 people had fallen ill and at least 19 were hospitalised. In a letter of apology, bakery owners apologised to their “dear and valued customers” and said that they hoped they would continue to have the…

The investigation into the outbreak that gave nearly 40 people acute food poisoning at an official Anzac Day president’s lunch has concluded — and the most likely culprit may surprise you. Speculation following the event pointed the finger at the duck and rabbit terrine that was served at the luncheon; however, after testing samples of the terrine, investigators are now saying that the source of the outbreak was probably a quince, fig and barberry jam relish th…

Despite having a strong food safety management system in place, food-borne illness continues to be a problem in Australia. Food poisoning affects an estimated 4.1 million Australians each year. In April 2017, the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation (the Forum) identified three priority areas for 2017–2021 to further strengthen the system. One of these priorities is to reduce food-borne illness, particularly related to Campylobacter an…

A Queensland native recently took to Facebook to share his “upsetting experience” after eating a raw chicken burger from a McDonald’s in Upper Coomera, Queensland.  Joseph Kim had eaten half of the burger by the time he realised something was wrong. “I didn’t taste anything at first but I felt something soft and tender in my mouth,” Kim reported. “At about half way [sic] through the burger, I glanced at the inside of the burger and saw chicken patty and became…

Food safety officials in New Zealand are urging people to cook raw mussels thoroughly after a recent spate of food poisoning cases caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus. According to a spokeswoman from the New Zealand Ministry of Health, one third of those affected have been hospitalised, but no deaths have been reported. “Of the 26 cases acquired in New Zealand, 20 are known to have eaten raw, smoked or partially cooked mussels during the incubation period,” she s…

Up to 30 diners at an exclusive Anzac Day AFL luncheon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) were left distressed and light-headed, some fainted and several were taken to hospital with suspected food poisoning. AFL boss Gillon McLachlan, who was in attendance but managed to avoid contracting the illness, told 3AW radio: “It happened very quickly and people … were being affected at the same time … I didn’t see vomiting. I saw people fainting and I saw people dis…

An urgent recall has been announced for a popular brand of eggs over potential microbial Salmonella Enteritidis contamination fears. Steve’s Farm Fresh Eggs were sold through butchers, cafes and independent stores in New South Wales (NSW), primarily in western Sydney, according to the NSW Food Authority. The affected products include Fresh Eggs From My Farm 12 Free Range Eggs 700g and Fresh Eggs From My Farm Cage Eggs 700g with a best before date of May 6, 2019…

A woman has died and thousands of people are at risk of Listeria infection after the bacteria was detected in food from I Cook Foods, a south-east Melbourne catering company which supplies food to hospitals, aged care homes and Meals on Wheels. The catering service has been shut down after the woman, who was in her 80s, died in Knox Private Hospital on February 4. According to a health department spokesperson, the woman contracted a Listeria-related illness whi…

The Australian Food Safety Information Council announced this week their theme for food safety week – food poisoning. The council is calling on all Australians to share their stories of food poisoning. By sharing our stories we help to increase awareness and educate each other. Whether it be your story or the story of a family member or friend, the FSIC wants to hear from you. They are inviting you to tell your food poisoning story. Although helping all Austra…

Australia has been the latest country to be hit by mass recalls of frozen vegetables, following the recall of hundreds of products across the UK and Europe last week. These recalls follow the deaths of 9 people in the UK from listeria thought to be linked to the consumption of frozen vegetables. Australian supermarkets affected include Woolworths, Aldi and IGA stores. About ten frozen vegetable products have been recalled in total including frozen corn, carrots…