Australians have been assured pre-packed lettuce on retail shelves is safe to eat as the number of salmonella cases linked to some products grows.
The confirmed number of cases in Victoria has reached 62 and there are 30 potential cases being examined in other states and territories, although numbers are expected to start tapering off.
Pre-packaged lettuce distributed by Victorian-based company Tripod Farmers was recalled on Thursday after the salmonella outbreak.
But Fresh Produce Safety Centre technology manager Richard Bennett said consumers shouldn't worry about potentially tainted lettuce unless it had been sitting in their refrigerators.
"Any product on the retail shelf now is fresh, safe and healthy," Mr Bennett told AAP.
"It (salmonella case numbers) could have doubled overnight but it didn't, which tells us the health authorities and retailers have been swift and effective in their recall."
Mr Bennett said more cases of the rare salmonella strain were possible, although numbers would start to taper off given the infection period was a maximum 72 hours.
Investigations are under way to determine whether a contaminated water supply, fertiliser or something else could be to blame for the outbreak.
Mr Bennett said Australia was a leader in food safety and systems were usually able to prevent outbreaks of disease.
The Federal Department of Health says it is closely monitoring the outbreak.
On Friday the department brought together representatives of all Australian health departments and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to consider whether reports of salmonella would benefit from national co-ordination.
The recall is for 30 retail products sold at supermarkets, as well as wholesale products.
The recalled lettuce mixes with any best-before date up to February 14 should be returned to the store, or thrown out.
Tripod Farmers has suspended some of its farming and processing operations until the source of the outbreak has been identified and fixed.
Managing director Frank Ruffo said the company was working closely with health authorities to determine the cause and extent of the problem.
"The company apologises to everyone affected by the recall, and thanks the public for the way it is responding to the recall," Mr Ruffo said.
