Listeria Detected in Victorian Hospital Dessert Product

The discovery of listeria in a dessert product served in Victorian hospitals has promoted the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a directive to discard the product.
The mousses had a use-by-date of 14 February 2015 and were supplied to the Austin Hospital, St Vincent’s Private, St Vincent’s Mercy, Brunswick Private, the Royal Children’s Hospital, Ballarat Health Services, Caulfield Hospital, Sandringham Hospital, Frankston Hospital and Rosebud Hospital.
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, St Vincent’s Mercy, 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, but Dr Lester said symptoms of the illness can take up to 70 days to appear.
“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 Channel at:
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Food_poisoning_listeria