More salmonella cases linked to Vic salad

The number of suspected salmonella cases linked to lettuce from Victoria has risen, with 144 reported cases around Australia.

The number of likely cases of salmonella anatum strain has risen to 134 across five states, while the number of confirmed cases remains at 10, including nine in Victoria and one in NSW, Victorian health authorities said on Thursday.

No cases have been reported in the ACT, Northern Territory, and Tasmania.

Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services is still investigating the source of the salmonella anatum contamination, which has been linked to salad leaf products produced by Tripod Farmers at Bacchus Marsh, west of Melbourne.

Tripod Farmers has voluntarily recalled a variety of its products, sold through Coles and Woolworths supermarket and to the food trade.

The affected products have a best-before date of February 14.

Tripod Farmers resumed business following a major clean-up in its Bacchus Marsh factory, but the outbreak still has not been identified.

Meanwhile, vegetable growers are reassuring consumers that fresh and pre-packaged products are safe to eat, and are urging people to continue supporting the vegetable industry.

SALMONELLA CASES BY STATE

VIC - 9 confirmed and 99 probable cases SA - 14 probable QLD - 8 probable cases

NSW - 1 confirmed and 8 probable WA - 5 probable cases

ACT, NT, TAS - no cases.