Australia's largest listeria outbreak, which has been linked to Jindi cheese products, has claimed another life, with the death of a 68 year old NSW man in late January.
It was confirmed over the weekend that the man's death was related to contaminated Jindi cheese products, which have also caused the death of two others and one NSW woman's miscarriage.
According to The Age, the outbreak, which came to authorities' attention in mid-December, has been traced to Jindi's Jindivick factory in Gippsland.
It's possible that more deaths will follow, despite Jindi recalling more than 100 of its products.
Victoria's acting chief health officer, Dr Michael Ackland, said, "I'm confident that the intervention that has been put in place with terrific co-operation from Jindi is absolutely appropriate and is the best possible intervention.
"Unfortunately, because of the 70 day incubation period for listeria, there will almost certainly be people who have consumed cheese prior to the recall that may still get sick … that could go on for another couple of months," he said.
Late last year Jindi recalled its Jindi and Wattle Valley Brie and Camembert cheese varieties but a few weeks later extended the recall to include all batches manufactured until 7 January.
In a guest post on Food mag, HACCP Australia's Martin Stone and Michael Lincoln from Liberty International Underwriters give an insight into how food manufacturers can effectively manage a food recall, and how to minimise costs and reputational damage if such an event does occur. Read it in full here.
To see a list of the products recently recalled in Australia, click here.