Widespread milk recall over contamination that can't be seen, tasted or smelled
A dairy company has been forced to recall milk sold in Victoria and parts of NSW for the second time in a week, amid contamination fears.
Lactalis Australia on Thursday recalled eight milk varieties sold by Coles, Woolworths, IGA and other retailers in Victoria and Southern NSW because they may contain a microbial contamination.
This could not be seen, tasted or smelled, and the company urged people who bought milk with a used by date of July 2 to return it for a refund.
Coles said one of the recalled milks, Coles Brand Fresh Full Cream 2L, sold at Coles Express sites in Victoria and Deniliquin North, Tocumwal, Albury and Albury North in NSW, was contaminated with E.coli.
The supermarket stressed the recall did not affect Coles Brand Fresh Full Cream 2L milk sold at Coles supermarkets because this involved a different supplier.
Lactalis said it had identified the source of the contamination and taken steps to stop it recurring.
E. coli can cause serious illnesses
E. coli is a type of bacteria which can cause illnesses that range from minor to severe. In minor cases it can cause diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, and urinary tract infection, lasting 5-10 days.
However, some strains of E. coli can cause serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis in newborn babies, inflammation of the gallbladder, according to Health Direct.
It is also linked to a serious illness known as haemolytic uraemic syndrome, which damages the blood cells and can cause the kidneys to fail.
Thursday’s recall comes a week after the company had to recall eight different milk varieties with expiry dates of between June 25 and 28, because of fears they contained a cleaning solution.
Coles and Lactalis Australia Pty Ltd are conducting recalls of certain milks sold under Coles, 7-Eleven, Gippy, Maxi Foods and Paul brands across Victoria and parts of NSW due to microbial (E.coli) contamination: https://t.co/wk9vxMBkGI #recall #milk #dairy pic.twitter.com/gzw2OgIDGR
— CHOICE (@choiceaustralia) June 20, 2019
Latest recalled milks
7-Eleven Lite Milk 2L bottle (use by date: 2 July 2019)
Gippy Full Cream Milk 2L bottle (use by date: 2 July 2019)
Gippy Lite Milk 2L bottle (use by date: 2 July 2019)
Maxi Foods Lite Milk 2L bottle (use by date: 2 July 2019)
Pauls Professional Cafe Crema Milk 2L bottle (use by date: 2 July 2019)
Pauls Smarter White 2% Fat Milk 2L bottle (use by date: 2 July 2019)
Rev Low Fat Milk 2L bottle (use by date: 2 July 2019)
Rev Low Fat Milk 1L carton (use by date: 2 July 2019)
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