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Dirty eggs recalled due to potential salmonella contamination

RL Adams Pty Ltd has recalled Darling Downs Fresh Eggs and Mountain Range Eggs from independent supermarkets, fruit and vegetable stores & butcher shops and some cafes in QLD, NSW and NT due to dirty eggs, with potential for microbial contamination.

The recall concerns Darling Downs Fresh Eggs (300g, 350g, 500g, 600g, 700g, 1500g) and Mountain Range Eggs (350g, 500g, 600g and 700g) with Best Before dates between March 26 2015 and April 22 2015.

The eggs are individually stamped with a Julian date of 036 up to and including 063. Eggs with Julian date prior to and after 036 and 063 are not impacted by this voluntary recall and withdrawal.

Darling Downs Fresh Eggs said the recall is due to a potential production issue and “it is possible that dirty eggs may have been packed into some of these [recalled] cartons and we are implementing a voluntary recall of these eggs.”

Following the recall, the egg industry has said it is supporting Queensland and South Australian health authorities in their investigations into recent reports of foodborne illnesses.

Australia Egg Corporation Managing Director James Kellaway says that the egg industry is well regulated with respect to public safety and maintains a high standard of food safety compared to other countries.

"However, like all perishable foods, eggs need to be handled carefully," Kellaway said.

"Australia has some of the safest eggs in the world. This is the result of high quality standards applied across industry combined with a system of food safety regulation that is on par with the world’s best," he said.

"AECL has also launched a national Salmonella Initiative with a dedicated member of staff working to inform people across the supply chain about how to reduce the risk of salmonella for consumers. Through the Salmonella Initiative, AECL has been collaborating with relevant through-chain stakeholders Australia-wide (producers, retailers, health departments, regulators, food service operators, chefs) to identify appropriate controls measures at various stages through chain," he said.

"The ultimate output of the Salmonella Initiative will be a through-chain risk assessment that includes research-based knowledge to be used as the basis for management of each risk which will also identify knowledge gaps that can be filled through the AECL R&D program."

All Australian egg producers are required to comply with the Food Standards Code as regulated by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), which requires all eggs to be stamped with an identifying mark to enable traceability and prohibits the sale of cracked and dirty eggs.

The egg industry also has a voluntary quality assurance scheme called EggCorp Assured and food safety is a central component of the scheme.

Any consumers with any recalled product is advised to return it to the place of purchase and ask for the stock to be replaced.

 

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