Consumers warned to throw out Nanna’s Frozen Berry 1kg packets amid hepatitis A scare
SOPHIE AUBREY, ANDREW JEFFERSON, AAP HERALD SUN
February 16, 2015 6:13AM
THE Victorian Farmers Federation has urged shoppers to buy local after a food scare saw frozen mixed berries pulled from supermarket shelves amid fears of a link to hepatitis A.
At least three Victorians and one person in New South Wales who have eaten Nanna’s Frozen Mixed Berries have been diagnosed with the viral disease.
The berries are packed in China and distributed in Australia by Patties Foods, based in Bairnsdale.
The Victorian Health Department issued an urgent alert on Saturday urging anyone who bought 1kg packets of the product since October to throw them out.
Hepatitis A is spread when food is contaminated with faecal matter.
Victorian company Patties Foods announced yesterday it was expanding its recall to include all 300g and 500g packs of Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries.
Patties Foods chief executive Steven Chaur said the wider recall was a precautionary measure.
“We have decided that all our frozen mixed berries should be recalled until such time as we receive the results of further laboratory tests,” Mr Chaur said.
“The recall is an important step to ensure public safety and confidence.”
Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries are being recalled.
The VFF says the case highlights the dangers of using cheap imported products and shoppers should always aim to buy Australian-grown when possible.
VFF President Peter Tuohey said he was concerned to hear about the food scare.
“It’s one of the problems consumers face when buying products which originate from outside Australia,” Mr Tuohey said.
“We have a lot or rules and regulations in Australia and our health and safety standards are among the best in the world.
“Unfortunately food coming in doesn’t always adhere to the same strict regulations.”
Mr Tuohey admitted deceptive packaging sometimes made it difficult for shoppers to know if a product was manufactured in Australia.
“I can only assume that this company was using Chinese berries because they were offering a lower market price than its competitors,” he said.
“Berries are certainly in season in Australia.
“As it’s a frozen product, it’s likely this product was contaminated prior to packaging when the berries were first picked.
“They may have been placed on the ground where rats and other vermin could have caused the problem.
“Unfortunately Australian customs don’t test every batch, they only check a certain percentage of shipments coming in.”
Department of Health and Human Services adviser Finn Romanes said anyone who had eaten the berries in the past 50 days should monitor for symptoms.
“We have very strong evidence there is likely contamination of this product,’’ Dr Romanes said.
“It is extremely important consumers check in their fridge and freezers and if there is any of this product discard immediately.
“The company has agreed to do a recall as we have requested of this product line.’’
Supermarket shelves have been cleared of Nanna’s Frozen Berries, and the recall has now extended to Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries.
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