Update: Salmonella in lettuce sold in Australia

Further to our alert last week on the listeria outbreak in the US, linked to Dole's packaged salads, salmonella has been linked to several brands of lettuce mix sold in Australian supermarket giants, Coles and Woolworths in Victoria; warnings have been issued and products from Victoria-based Tripod Farmers, the growers and suppliers, recalled nationally. The severity of salmonella symptoms depends on the number of bacteria ingested, as well as the consumer's age and general health. As we noted, scientists have found that outbreaks of illnesses associated with leafy vegetables were larger than those attributed to any other food types.

Popular salad mixes sold at Coles and Woolworths have been urgently recalled after they were linked to a salmonella outbreak which has affected 28 adults and children.

Victoria's Department of Health has warned consumers not to eat prepackaged lettuce from Tripod Farmers after a number of products were found to contain the bacteria.

At least two people were taken to hospital after suffering severe diarrhoea and vomiting but no one has died, Medical Advisor Dr Finn Romanes told media.

The brands affected include Coles 4 Leaf Mix, Woolworths salad mix, SupaSalad Supamix and Wash N Toss salad mix. The diet food delivery service, Lite n' Easy, has also issued a warning to customers not to eat meals which contain salads. The meals they named as effected are beef rissoles with salad, thai salad and chicken and caeser salad.

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Popular salad mixes sold at Coles and Woolworths have been urgently recalled after they were linked to a salmonella outbreak, pictured Wash N Toss salad mix and Coles 4 Leaf Mix were affected

Tests from two batches of three of these mixes have tested positive for Salmonella anatum bacterium, the health service revealed.

And at least 10 of the cases that have been interviewed identified consumption of bagged lettuce mixes produced by Tripod Farmers, ABC reported.

Dr Romanes said the links between the product and illness in Victorians had been made because of a higher than usual number of cases of the Salmonella strain.

'Normally we only see a handful of cases of this strain each year, but so far this year there have been 28 adult cases of Salmonella anatum - mostly adults - notified to the Department,' he said.

Tripod Farmers said each harvest is hand picked, washed and delivered with a fresh quality guarantee on its website

Coles sent a full list of all the products potentially linked to the salmonella outbreak which has affected 28 adults and children

'As a result of following up the food histories of a number of people we have discovered a common source - the Tripod Farmers lettuce.

'Tests of three products from two batches have also tested positive for Salmonella anatum bacterium.'

Coles said its recall is not affecting Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania.

Products with best before dates leading up to and including February 14 will be urgently recalled.

But it is unclear exactly how many salad mixes will be involved in the recall as they are 'widespread' in Victoria.

'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.

Coles (pictured) said its recall is not affecting Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania

A spokesman said: 'Coles has taken immediate steps to remove from sale a selection of pre-packaged lettuce products in Victoria, New South Wales, Noerthern Territory and South Australia following a number of cases of Salmonella infection potentially linked to these products.'

Tripod Farmers said each harvest is hand picked, washed and delivered with a fresh quality guarantee on its website.

Salmonella is an infection caused by bacteria from the Salmonella genus which mainly causes gastroenteritis.

The severity of symptoms depends on the number of bacteria ingested, age and general health.