Health Warning! Eggs Sold at Retailers Across Australia are Being Recalled!
The latest salmonella scare in Australia, which has prompted the recall of thousands of eggs from farms in Victoria, will have many thinking twice when walking down the egg aisle at their local supermarket.
Eggs sold at retailers across Australia including Woolworths and independent stores in the ACT, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and also at Coles in Victoria and South Australia. - are being recalled over fears they could be contaminated with salmonella (a bacteria that causes illness in humans and animals).
Which brand of eggs are used by dates are being recalled?
Eggs which may be affected have these best before dates:
March: 19, 20, 23, 27, 30
April: 3, 6, 10, 14, 17, 17, 20, 24, 27
Specific egg brands include:
- Woolworths 12 Cage Free Eggs 700g
- Victorian Fresh Barn Laid Eggs 600g
- Victorian Fresh Barn Laid Eggs 700g
- Victorian Fresh Barn Laid Eggs 800g
- Loddon Valley Barn Laid 600g
Food Standards Australia have issued a warning and are asking consumers to return their egg products (as listed above) to the original store they purchased them from to obtain a full refund.
It advised people who were worried about their health to seek medical advice.
Signs and symptoms of the most common, non-typhoidal salmonella poisoning include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach/abdominal cramps
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Blood in stool
- Chills
- Headache
Dr Josh Axe, Functional Medicine Doctor explains “Many individuals can carry Salmonella without displaying symptoms, but for symptomatic cases, people generally notice cramps, fever and diarrhea within eight to 72 hours of being exposed to the bacteria. Unlike viral gastroenteritis (the most common type of stomach flu), symptoms usually persist for two to seven days, with diarrhea sometimes continuing up to 10 days without treatment. For some people, the bowels don’t get completely back to normal for months after a severe Salmonella infection.”
Australian Eggs is currently working with both government health and agricultural departments to investigate the cause of this the salmonella incident.
The farms possibly contaminated have now been quarantined and strict measures are in place to protect the potential outbreak from neighbouring farms.
Agriculture Victoria has implemented controls on the farm preventing it from selling eggs while the possibility of salmonella outbreak is being further investigated.
Victoria's chief health officer, Dr Brett Sutton said the Department of Health and Human Services had identified five cases of illness that could be linked to this strain of salmonella - salmonella enteritidis.
Dr Sutton said all other eggs distributed were safe to eat, and thoroughly cooking eggs can prevent the bacteria from being contracted by humans.
"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," he said.
"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."
Visit foodstandards.gov.au/recalls for the recall notice.