Queensland Health is warning against consuming a batch of salami made by smallgoods company Backa Australia, after samples were found with high levels of bacteria. The company based in Beenleigh, in Queensland, has begun a voluntary recall of its chabi salami products sold at farmers markets in Brisbane and the Gold Coast last weekend (14-15 January 2012). The salami product tested positive to staphylococcus bacteria which can cause a type of food poisoning. Consumers who purchased the chabi products... ...Read more »

Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King, announced today that Australia’s leading food manufacturers and retailers have voluntarily agreed to reduce salt levels in soup products over the next three years. The agreement between the Australian Government’s Food and Health Dialogue and leading manufacturers and retailers was reached in Canberra this morning. Leading manufacturers Unilever, Heinz, Campbell Arnotts and Nestle, along with major retailers Woolworths, Coles and... ...Read more »

A mandatory strategy to phase out junk food in vending machines and canteens through Queensland Health facilities has been slow to take effect, with an evaluation revealing that only one in four facilities have fully complied with the 2007 plan to limit foods with a high sugar, salt and fat content, and 22% implementing less than half the requirements. The plan, which also included fundraising activities and other hospital dining options, was designed to cut obesity and diet-related disease, is based... ...Read more »

Millions of Truss tomato seedlings have been poisoned with herbicide at a hydroponics farm and plant nursery in Bowen in Northern Queensland. The sabotage is likely to have nationwide consequences for tomato prices, with the region growing 80% of the nation’s September tomatoes. Queensland Health says tomatoes from the property have been tested, and are safe for consumption with no residue of herbicide detected, and that testing will continue. Police are investigating the incident, the costs... ...Read more »