Alexis Ravenscroft from Nundah buys fresh fruit at the Gasworks “The Standard Market Co” Fruit market. Picture: Annette Dew Source: News Limited
BLOOD donated to the Red Cross that may be infected with Hepatitis A has been quarantined and victims have sought legal advice as the fallout from contaminated frozen berries continues.
It comes as a fifth Queensland resident tested positive for the virus yesterday, taking the national tally of cases to 10. More than 110 blood donors nationally have contacted the Red Cross to report consuming the berries.
Blood from these donors has been quarantined and Red Cross has urged anyone who ate the Nanna’s 1kg mixed frozen berries product and donated blood on or after November 1 last year to contact them.
The organisation can not rule out completely that tainted donated blood has not already been passed on.
RECALLED:
-Creative Gourmet mixed berries 300g
-Creative Gourmet mixed berries 500g
-Nanna’s frozen mixed berries 1kg
-Nanna’s frozen raspberries 1kg
“We can’t say for sure but it’s highly unlikely given the very low risk,” spokesman Shaun Inguanzo said.
“We don’t actually test for Hep A; rather we would identify the units, potentially recall them if they are at risk but it’s a manner of balancing blood safety supply but also not wasting product. So now we’ve quarantined it to await further advice from health authorities.”
People who have eaten the recalled berries are banned from donating blood for two months.
Shine Lawyers said victims had asked them about pursuing the company in court.
“The injuries suffered by those affected could now see them requiring significant and ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation,” Shine partner Stuart MacLeod said.
“Those who have suffered may be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering, medical and rehabilitation costs and costs for economic loss should they have been unable to work.”
Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce yesterday said the Government was working on improvements to country of origin labelling, and may also review testing procedures and health protocols.
Trudie Sims believes she contracted hepatitis A from frozen berries she consumed in smoothies. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: News Corp Australia
Raspberries appear to be the common link, with Victorian company Patties Foods extending the recall to Nanna’s 1kg raspberries yesterday.
Managing director Steven Chaur said the overseas supplier was no longer used by the company and the recall was precautionary.
“Investigations through our supply chain have identified a specific source of raspberries as a potential common link to the possible safety issues raised by health authorities,” he said.
Queenslanders are not required to have Hepatitis A vaccinations but they are recommended for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and when people travel overseas.
Alexis Ravenscroft, 33, of Nundah said the outbreak turned her off frozen food.
“I always like to try and buy as organically as I can, so obviously anything that is frozen or imported isn’t going to be the freshest thing on the market,” she said.