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Nanna’s Mixed Berries epidemiologically linked with the outbreak

Nanna's Mixed Berries have been epidemiologically linked with the outbreak, but the source of the virus remains unconfirmed.

There are 18 confirmed cases of Hepatitis A where the berries are the only common exposure.

Most people who contract Hepatitis A will recover with rest and fluids although it may cause severe illness in older people, those with chronic liver disease and those who are immunosuppressed.

Hepatitis A is spread via food and water, including ice that is contaminated with faecal matter from infected people. Practicing good hand hygiene and avoiding food preparation while ill are the most important factors in preventing further cases.

The products which have been recalled are:

  • Nanna's Mixed Berries 1kg pack
  • Nanna's Raspberries 1kg pack
  • Creative Gourmet's Mixed Berries 300g pack
  • Creative Gourmet's Mixed Berries 500g pack

Only the Nanna's Mixed Berries product has been epidemiologically linked with the outbreak. The other products have been recalled as a precaution.

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that 100 percent of Patties berries from the processing facility associated with the recent hepatitis A outbreak are being held pending testing.

The Department of Agriculture has received advice that the Chinese Government have carried out initial inspections of the packing facility implicated in the recent outbreaks of Hepatitis A and have taken swabs at the facility for microbiological testing, after seeking assurances about the safety of further shipments of frozen berries.

The Department of Agriculture has carried out a comprehensive interrogation of Australia's main system for managing imports, the Integrated Cargo System (ICS), to better understand the supply chains involved in the trade of frozen berries from China.

In addition, the Department of Agriculture has commenced a survey of all known importers of frozen berries from China to identify any supply chains that are not able to be identified through the interrogation of the ICS.

The Department of Agriculture has also formally requested a review of the risk status of frozen berries from Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ).

Anyone who has eaten the recalled frozen berries and feels unwell should consult their GP.

The Hepatitis A scare has pushed up demand for fresh Australian berries.

The recall has renewed attention on clearer country-of-origin labelling, with Barnaby Joyce calling for a framework that is unambiguous and compulsory.

 

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