Tripod Farmers, the company behind the contamination of private label packaged lettuce products, has apologised to those affected.
The number of salmonella cases has risen to up to 100 people since the Victorian-based company initiated a voluntary recall of a number of product lines nationally following advice from the Victorian Department of Health.
Tripod Farmers is a family-owned business founded in 1990 that grows lettuce and leafy vegetables in Victorian farms, in Gippsland, Western Melbourne, and Mildura, and it supplies pre-packaged leafy vegetable products to supermarkets and wholesale.
Tripod Farmers, which has now resumed business, says it is working with the Victorian Health Department to determine the cause of salmonella so far detected in three samples of product. Further testing of the recalled product has not detected salmonella, the company said.
Tripod Farmers MD, Frank Ruffo said the company holds multiple quality accreditations which are all audited regularly as required by Australian Food Safety Standards.
“Health authorities conducted a thorough site inspection of our Bacchus Marsh plant, including equipment swabs and further product testing.
“Our complete production area, including floor and equipment, is sanitised daily and we conduct regular microbiological testing on our facility and product samples, in full compliance with Australian standards.
“We are a major producer in good standing in the industry and have been distributing washed and ready to eat products to the Australian and export markets for many years, without issue.
“We apologise to our customers and anyone affected by this recall, and are doing everything possible to ensure the health and safety of consumers and the integrity of our products,” Ruffo said.
The voluntary recall included a number of private label packaged lettuce products sold in Coles, Bi-Lo, Woolworths and other independent outlets with use by dates up to and including 14 February.
The fresh produce industry body, Ausveg, has sought to reassure consumers over the safety of prepackaged lettuce products not included in the recall.
“Given the significant amount of leafy vegetable products that are on store shelves every year, food safety incidences are exceedingly rare, and the food recall system has been swift and effective in responding to this isolated case,”Ausveg national manager of scientific affairs, Dr Jessica Lye said.
“There is a large number of growers around the country who supply leafy vegetables and Australian consumers can be confident that all other Australian produce outside of the recalled lines is safe for consumption.”
According to Ausveg, Tripod Farmers has been a long-term grower and supplier of leafy-vegetable products for the local and export markets, and is a well-respected industry participant.
Tripod Farmers said it has resumed processing and distributing its full range of lettuce and leafy salad products at its Bacchus March facility following a site inspection from the Victorian Health Department.
“We are shocked at the test results because we put public safety first and foremost and comply with all Australian health and safety standards,” Ruffo said yesterday when announcing the recall.
“We will be doing everything within our power to determine how this has happened.
“We have commenced a thorough investigation and will work with health authorities to ensure we get to the bottom of this,” he said.
