Anyone who has purchased Nanna’s mixed berries have been urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Photo: Mex Cooper
Queenslanders have been warned of possible health dangers associated with a brand of frozen berries that have been recalled after a Hepatitis A scare.
Three people in Victoria and one in New South Wales have fallen ill with Hepatitis A after they consumed Nanna’s frozen mixed berries, which were available in 1kg packets in supermarkets, including Woolworths and Coles.
Queensland’s chief health officer, Jeannette Young, said the situation in the state was being monitored.
“People should not consume or cook with this product and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund,” Dr Young said.
“We are encouraging people to follow advice from the Victorian Department of Health which identified possible links between the product and several cases of Hepatitis A in Victoria.
“The product has not been conclusively linked to any cases of Hepatitis A in Queensland but we are continuing to monitor the situation.”
Dr Young said, if untreated, Hepatitis A could be a serious infection and she urged anybody with symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, fever and chills and yellow skin or eyes, to contact their GP or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
Hepatitis A can spread through contact with food, drinks or objects with traces of faeces containing the virus. It is common in developing countries where hygiene is poor.
Nanna’s berries are packed in China and distributed in Australia by Patties, a company based at Bairnsdale in Victoria.
Patties Foods have also announced they are undertaking a nation-wide recall of the mixed berries with a best-before date up to and including November 11, 2016, following advice from the health department.
They have advised consumers not to eat the product and return packs to the place of purchase for a full cash refund.
“A detailed testing process has commenced in conjunction with health authorities,” the company said in a statement.
“Patties Foods advises the voluntary recall is in the interests of consumer safety and that the health and well-being of consumers is paramount.”
– with Timna Jacks