Department of Health

Victorian hospitals directed to discard food product

14/02/15
Published by Department of Health & Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services has instructed a number of Victorian hospitals to discard a dessert product that has been found to contain listeria.

The hospitals have also been directed by the Department to follow up with all patients who may have consumed the product.

“Listeria has been detected in a chocolate mousse and tests are pending on a second mousse product,” Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Rosemary Lester said.

The products are not supplied to the general public.

“We have asked the hospitals to identify and contact all patients who may have consumed the products to advise them of the symptoms of listeria and to see a doctor if symptoms appear.”

The mousses had a use-by-date of 14 February 2015 and were supplied to the Austin Hospital, St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne, Brunswick
Private, the Royal Children’s Hospital, Ballarat Health Services, Caulfield Hospital, Sandringham Hospital, Frankston Hospital and Rosebud Hospital.

Patients at these hospitals may have consumed the products between January 29 and February 10. No cases of illness have been reported.

The products were found to contain listeria during routine testing by the company of its products.

Dr Lester said most healthy people are not affected by listeria, or may show only mild symptoms. However, in people with compromised immune systems, early symptoms can include fever, headache, tiredness and aches and pains.

“Symptoms of illness can take up to 70 days to appear,” Dr Lester said.

“Listeria infection is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, their unborn babies and elderly people.

“Listeria can be treated successfully with antibiotics if treatment is started early.”

Information about listeria can be found on the Better Health ChannelExternal Link .

Reviewed 14 February 2015

Health.vic

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Bram Alexander Department of Health Media Unit

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