FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SALMONELLA OUTBREAK – MEALS ON WHEELS (NORTHERN SUBURBS)
As recently reported by a number of media outlets, a Salmonella outbreak at a northern suburbs Meals on Wheels service has resulted in a number of elderly residents contracting food poisoning. The Department of Health received a number of individual notifications of gastro cases across Melbourne’s north throughout early and mid-December.
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services linked the death of the elderly person to an event they attended at the Bob Hawke Community Centre in Coburg last December.
The investigation into the food poisoning found the cases were linked, at first, to Meals on Wheels dinners made at the centre in mid-December, and then, later, to food for events made using the same kitchen in the same period.
Community Chef does not supply meals to the Moreland City Council’s delivered meals service.
Community Chef was established to minimise risk to this vulnerable section of the population, where the consequences of food poisoning can be serious.
We continue to produce meals from our HACCP certified, Class 1 facility in Altona and conduct routine microbiological testing on all meals produced from our site. Quality and food safety continues to be uppermost and all meals comply with HACC dietary requirements, Food Safety Australia New Zealand as well as HACCP standards.
Please find following link to the media statements:
Read more at news.com.au, 3AW.com.au and theAge.com.au
ABOUT COMMUNITY CHEF: Community Chef is a unique and innovative local government owned social enterprise. Recipes are developed and meals produced at an award-winning purpose-built kitchen in Altona, Melbourne, by a team of dedicated chefs and cooks. Their focus is the provision of nutritious, culturally sensitive and affordable meals that taste delicious and that meal recipients will enjoy and want to eat. Quality is uppermost and all meals comply with HACC dietary requirements.
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