Rombola Family Farms (Rombola) will resume the production, packing and sale of rockmelons following approval from the NSW Food Authority.
Rombola has met all requirements of the NSW Food Authority’s Clearance Program (Clearance Program) to resume production, the company said in a statement.
“While the NSW Food Authority identified a link to Rombola as the source of the listeria outbreak, neither the authority nor an independent microbiologist identified any specific source associated with Rombola or with our washing, storage and packing facilities for rockmelons,” the company said.
“Management and staff of Rombola are saddened by the impact the listeria outbreak has had on the community and the rockmelon industry, and reminds people in high risk groups, including the elderly and pregnant women, to follow NSW Health and NSW Food Authority’s guidelines in relation to the preparation and consumption of rockmelon.
“Rombola adheres to the strictest food safety standards, operating a clean, hygienic and highly-regulated facility in the NSW Riverina.
“The company will undertake regular mandatory testing of produce in accordance with the clearance program supplemented by further daily voluntary testing.
“All rockmelons that were in the supply chain when the possible listeria connection was first identified in February 2018 have been recalled and destroyed.
“The farm will recommence supply this week.”
Rombola Family Farms in the NSW Riverina has supplied fresh produce for 50 years.
More than 300 seasonal contract employees work through the peak periods each year across more than 4000 hectares in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.
