New South Wales-based company Australia Poultry and Food Wholesalers has been fined A$236,000 plus legal costs for supplying pre-cooked chicken that was found to contain Listeria monocytogenes. The chicken was used in wraps that were supplied for inflight meals on the Virgin Blue airline. Listeria monocytogenes is dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. Downing Centre Local Court, in Sydney, found that between December 2008 and June 2009, a food-borne... ...Read more »

A NSW company has been linked to the recent Listeria food poisoning outbreak on Virgin Blue airlines flights that led to two pregnant women giving birth prematurely. NSW Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, said the case had been linked to GMI Food Wholesalers Pty Ltd, which trades as Australian Poultry and Food Wholesalers . “Results of thorough testing conducted by the Food Authority and Queensland authorities show that the Listeria bacteria came from a cooked, diced chicken product... ...Read more »

Australia’s fastest growing sandwich franchise, Healthy Habits, has been welcomed on board as Virgin Blue’s official café and sandwich bar at their new Brisbane headquarters. The franchise, which has 29 stores across Australia and is known for its smiley face logo, was given the nod after a lengthy tender process ruled out several major fast food and catering companies. Healthy Habits founder and managing director Katherine Sampson said the new site at the Virgin Blue headquarters offered... ...Read more »