A Victorian egg company has been quarantined and its eggs, which are sold in the major supermarkets, have been recalled across several states due to a potential salmonella contamination.
Bridgewater Poultry, located near Bendigo, sells its eggs at Woolworths and independent retailers in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania, and at Coles in Victoria and South Australia.
Five cases of illness have reportedly been linked to a particular type of salmonella – Salmonella Enteritidis, although eggs are safe to eat if they are cooked thoroughly.
At Woolworths, brands that could be affected are Woolworths Cage Free 700g, Victorian Fresh Barn Laid 600g, 700g, and 800g, and Valley Barn Laid 600g. At Coles, the potentially affected brand is Lodden Valley Bark Lad 600g eggs. The recall only affects products with best before dates of March 20, 23, 27, and 30, and April 6, 10, 14, 17, 20, 24, 27, and 29.
In a media statement, the egg company said the health and safety of consumers was its highest priority.
“Bridgewater Poultry Farm is working with the relevant government health and agricultural departments to investigate this incident at our site that may have been introduced through the purchase of interstate eggs. This investigation is continuing.”
The company also said that as a precaution, the farm had been quarantined and strict measures to protect neighbouring farms are in place.
“Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) is not endemic in Australia so it is important to work through how this incident has arisen,” Bridgewater Poultry said.
“Regular SE surveillance is conducted in Australia to ensure early detection, containment and eradication of any outbreak.”
