SAFE VEGIES

THE TIPS YOU NEED

VEGETABLE growers are urging Tasmanians to buy local as imported frozen vegetables are pulled from supermarket shelves across the country.

Fears over the deadly listeria strain of bacteria have sparked a recall of frozen corn, carrot, broccoli and mixed vegetable bags from Woolworths, IGA, Aldi and some other independent grocery stores.

Food Standards Australia said the recall, although “precautionary” was due to listeria contamination fears linked to a factory in Europe.

However, James Whiteside, chief executive of vegetable and potato growers peak body AusVeg, has told the Mercury that local fresh and frozen vegetable products available on supermarket shelves are safe and of the highest quality.

“Consumers can easily identify if a food product is grown in Australia, which has some of the most stringent food safety protocols,” he said.

Tasmanian vegetables are the forefront for consumers with Ulverstone now home to the only mixed processing plant in Australia.

Operated by Simplot Australia, the plant processes 83,000 tonnes of vegetables and 295,000 tonnes of potatoes. Tasmania’s vegetable industry farmgate value is worth about $217 million with a processed food value of almost $560 million.

Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association vegetable council committee member Nathan Richardson — a potato farmer at Thirlstane in the North-West — said the industry did not want consumers to stop buying Australian frozen product because of the imported vegetable recall.

“We urge consumers to buy Australian, it’s safe. It’s a good time to support the local industry,” Mr Richardson said.

A Simplot Australia spokes- woman said none of the products recalled are manufactured by Simplot Australia. The company produces frozen vegetables under its Birds Eye and Edgell brands — neither of which is involved in the recall.

“Product safety is of paramount importance to Simplot Australia,” she said.

A Coles spokesman said all Coles Brand frozen vegetables were Australian grown and also not included in the recall.

“Coles sources more than 50 million kilograms of Australian grown frozen vegetables and potatoes from Simplot each year, to produce more than 30 Coles brand frozen vegetable products,” he said.

“Coles brand food products have updated packaging to be compliant with the new country of origin requirements.”

Australians are being told to the check their freezers and de- stroy the products or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

About 150 people are hospitalised and about 15 die each year due to listeria infection. In healthy people the infection may be mistaken for a mild viral infection or flu.

PRODUCTS RECALLED

Woolworths: Essentials snap frozen mixed veg 1kg: Carrots, peas, corn, green beans and potatoes Woolworths: Bell Farms Steam Veggie Carrot Corn and Broccoli 3pk 450g IGA: Black & Gold Corn Kernels 500g IGA: Black & Gold Mixed Vegetables 1kg: Carrots, peas, beans & corn ALDI: Market Fare range

For more information visit: www.foodstandards.gov.au/industry/foodrecalls/recalls/Pages/ Frozen-Vegetables-.aspx