Huge egg recall in Australia
After 23 cases of salmonella poisoning caused by eggs have been reported so far, the farmer who is responsible claims that it’s not his fault.
The Glendenning Farms worker, who chose not to provide his name, has said that he has never experienced something like this in his 20 years of being in the business.
“Even the Food Authority said it wasn’t my fault,” he told The Sunday Telegraph from his farm in Cobbitty, in south-west Sydney.
“It is something to do with the birds. Some birds have been flying in from overseas, landed on the shed and chucked a sh*t.”
The farm is run by the Osman family and the company Eggz on the Run.
Their lawyer, Raed Rahal, said they are “shell-shocked by the news as it is their livelihood.”
“They would certainly not do anything to risk anyone’s safety,” said Mr Rahal.
“We are not even certain that the outbreaks are in the eggs.
“The strain is from overseas. There was only a certain batch that was supposed to be removed but the company has voluntarily decided to remove all batches of eggs.”
According to Mr Rahal, the outbreak led back to a bakery in Sydney, though he is unsure of its location.
Sydney consumers are being told to avoid the eggs after those affected were shown to have symptoms of Salmonella enteritidis.
The staggering amount of cases are now being investigated by the NSW Food Authority and NSW Health, and the company, Eggz on the Run, is undertaking a voluntary recall of the eggs.
The recall is for Glendenning Farms whole shell eggs with best before dates: 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 and 29 September 2018 and 1 October 2018.
The recall is only for eggs sold in cartons and bulk trays throughout NSW.
“The NSW Department of Primary Industries has issued a biosecurity direction of the farm to restrict movement of livestock, eggs, manure and disposables and order the disinfection and decontamination of equipment,” an NSW Health statement said.
“This direction will be in place while further investigations are underway.”
Symptoms of Salmonella enteritidis include fever, headache, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, usually around six to 72 hours after the contaminated food is eaten.
Consumers have been advised to either return the eggs back to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them.
Proof of purchase for a recalled item is not required.