Australian melon industry expresses concern
Australian rockmelon farm linked to listeria outbreak resumes production
This morning, the farm announced it was resuming the production, packing and sale of rockmelons this week, having met all requirements of the NSW Food Authority’s Clearance Program.
“While the NSW Food Authority identified a link to Rombola as the source of the listeria outbreak, neither the Authority nor an independent microbiologist identified any specific source associated with Rombola or with our washing, storage and packing facilities for rockmelons,” a spokeswoman for the farm said in a statement.
“Management and staff of Rombola are saddened by the impact the listeria outbreak has had on the community and the rockmelon industry, and reminds people in high risk groups to follow NSW Health and NSW Food Authority’s guidelines in relation to the preparation and consumption of rockmelon.”
According to news.com.au, the company added that it will undertake regular mandatory testing of produce in accordance with the Clearance Program, supplemented by further daily voluntary testing.
However, in a press release dated April 4th, the Australian melon industry expressed its concern that the farm at the centre of the listeria outbreak has now been issued an all-clear by the New South Wales Food Authority. The industry is worried that the causes of the listeria outbreak have not been traced or adequately addressed.
The Australian Melon Association met with the NSW Food Authority on the 21st March. It provided reassurances that the industry would receive an update on the progress of the investigation last week. This has not been forthcoming, and industry has been left in the dark as to the causes and outcomes of the listeria outbreak.
“We have not received a report on the outcomes of the Food Authority’s investigation. Growers are very anxious to understand what went wrong on the farm so that they can learn from the investigation,” said Industry Development Manager, Dianne Fullelove.
Rockmelons began to reappear on some Australian supermarket shelves in March, nearly a month after the fruit was linked to the deadly outbreak.
