Foodstuffs has just announced the results of testing carried out by independent laboratory AsureQuality. Results have confirmed that Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was not detected in any of the samples taken from the Living Foods property and processing plant.
“Multiple soil samples were taken from the quarantined paddock and across the farm, all of which failed to detect an evidence of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. In addition, samples of irrigation and processing water, and swabs from the processing plant and final product tests also failed to detect any presence of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis,” says Antoinette Shallue, Corporate PR Director, Foodstuffs New Zealand Ltd.
“The outcome of our internal audit of the Living Foods processing facility and farm has indicated that they have a high level of food safety compliance and good farm management practices in place. There were no uncontrolled practices, conditions or incidents which could have contributed to or led to the food poisoning outbreak.”
Based on the outcome of the audit and the negative sample analysis results which couldn’t find any evidence of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in the samples or products tested at Living Foods, Shallue confirms that Foodstuffs now has a high level of confidence that there is no risk of contamination from any product sourced from Living Foods.
“We are confident in the ongoing supply of all products originating from Living Foods and we have reached the conclusion that there was either no contamination at the source or the food safety protocols in place with our supplier were working as required to eliminate such common environmental organisms,” says Shallue. “We are pleased to be able to confirm to our customers that all Pams lettuce products sold in our stores are safe and the scientific testing results have proved this.”
