
A national voluntary recall has been issued for prepackaged lettuce from the Victorian-based Tripod Farmers company, after a higher-than-usual number of salmonella cases were reported in the state.
The recall was issued after Victoria’s Department of Health said there had been 28 salmonella cases so far this year, and the lettuce was the common source.
Tripod lettuce is sold at Coles and Woolworths in both supermarkets’ prepackaged salad mixes, including Coles 4 Leaf Mix, Woolworths salad mix, SupaSalad Supamix and Wash N Toss salad mix, and is available in most states and territories.
The department said the recall was for products with best before dates leading up to and including February 14.
Department of Health and Human Services senior medical adviser Dr Finn Romanes said people should either return them to the place of purchase or throw them out.
He said the outbreak could have been caused by the fertiliser used to grow the lettuce.
“It’s linked back to chickens and eggs, so it could be for example that there’s a link to fertiliser sourced by chickens for example, but we don’t have exact data in this case.”
The department said an inspection of Tripod Farmers had been carried out and a “thorough clean” had taken place.
Dr Romanes said it was still unclear exactly how many products were involved.
“We know that the lettuce products involved, that there are a number of products, and that the distribution of those products is very widespread, particularly in Victoria,” he said.