Posted: November 29th, 2011 - 8:48am
Source: Hospitality Magazine

Contaminated sushi, raw eggs and uncooked meat have fuelled a surge in the number of people infected by salmonella. Figures from NSW Health show cases have almost doubled in the past five years from 2074 to 3745, with the bacteria causing diarrhoea, headaches, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting and fever. Australian Medical Association councillor and GP Brian Morton said our love of sushi and raw eggs were behind the rise. ``Raw fish is a common source of salmonella,'' Dr Morton said. ``The fact Australians have a broadened palette and are eating more takeaway and sushi could be reasoning behind the increase. ``Eggs are another major source of salmonella so people need to watch the use-by date when they are making egg-based sauces. It needs to be made fresh daily.'' NSW Health said it had investigated the rise in salmonella cases but no single reason had been identified, despite it being the most commonly reported intestinal condition in 2010.