Rockmelon growers on notice after outbreak

The NSW rockmelon industry is facing potential supervision and regulation after a family farm, linked to a fatal contamination, spoke out for the first time.

Rombola Family Farms in Nericon near Griffith voluntary halted production of potentially contaminated melon types after becoming aware of the outbreak which has infected 17 elderly people across the country and killed two Victorians and two people from NSW.

The family-owned business has been working with the NSW Food Authority and with the entire supply chain to identify, quarantine and remedy the source of the listeria.

As a result of the outbreak, the NSW Food Authority may apply additional regulatory actions or supervision to the rockmelon industry to ensure compliance and to see improved safety outcomes.

The authority is confident all affected produce has been removed from the market.