The company behind the imported frozen berries linked to five cases of hepatitis A has defended its response to the suspected contamination, but says it understands consumers are “a little bit frustrated”.
Five people have become sick with hepatitis A after eating Nanna’s frozen mixed berries, prompting a national recall of the one-kilogram bag product.
On Sunday the recall was extended to Creative Gourmet mixed berries in 300 gram and 500 gram packets because they were packaged in the same plant as the Nanna’s berries.
The berries came from China and Chile and were distributed by Patties Foods, which is based in Bairnsdale, east Victoria.
The managing director of Patties Foods, Steven Chaur, said the company had been inundated with calls and emails from consumers and was working hard to address concerns.
“I know consumers are a little bit frustrated with us at the moment in relation to the speed at which we’re responding but we are using our best endeavours to make sure we get back to everybody with the right information at the right time,” he said.
Mr Chaur said the company was working with the health department.
Earlier, Patties Foods released a statement that said while quality control testing to date had not revealed any concerns with the food safety of either product, “further detailed testing is being done and the recall is an important step to ensure public safety and confidence”.
“We have decided that all our frozen Mixed Berries should be recalled until such time as we receive the results of further laboratory tests,” the statement said.
Consumers were also told not to eat fruit from the Nanna’s one-kilogram packets with best-before dates up to and including November 22, 2016.
People were also told not to consume fruit from the Creative Gourmet 300 gram packets with best-before dates up to and including December 10, 2017, and 500 gram packets with best-before dates up to October 6, 2017.
Health officials confirmed three cases of hepatitis A linked to the product in Victoria and two in New South Wales.
Health officials expect more hepatitis A cases
Dr Vicky Sheppeard from NSW Health’s Communicable Diseases Branch said there were concerns because hepatitis A was contagious.
“So far we’ve had two people that have confirmed hepatitis A, that in the weeks to months before they developed hepatitis A had consumed these berries and they’re coming from different parts of the state, so we’re concerned this might be a more widespread problem,” she said.
Dr Sheppeard said NSW Health were expecting more cases to arise.
“The incubation period for hepatitis A is between two and seven weeks, so at this stage it’s an early stage of the investigation and we’re still gathering information about how much of the product is in NSW homes but potentially we will be seeing more cases in the coming weeks,” she said.
The early symptoms of hepatitis A include a fever, loss of appetite and nausea.
These symptoms develop over several days to a week before more advanced signs of the disease start to emerge, including jaundice which is noticed by yellowed skin and yellow eye balls, or dark urine and pale stools.
“It’s quite infectious and readily spread from person to person, that’s why its important people are aware of it now so that if they are in the early stages of the illness they can take steps to prevent spreading it to others,” said Dr Sheppeard.
Hepatitis A is spread when traces of faecal matter containing the virus contaminate hands, objects, water or food.
NSW Health said hepatitis A could be prevented by vaccination.
The frozen mixed berries are sold mainly in Woolworths, Coles and IGA supermarkets.
Concerned consumers can call the company on 1800 650 069.