The NSW education department has issued a health warning to all staff members about the risks of contracting hepatitis A linked to tainted frozen berries. Photo: Getty Images
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Schools across NSW are on heightened alert after the education department issued a health warning urging staff to remain vigilant about potential hepatitis A cases linked with recalled frozen berries.
“Schools must take action to ensure that products matching this recall are removed and discarded,” the notice issued to about 2000 schools read. “These products are not to be consumed.”
An education department spokesman would not say whether any school had been in touch reporting a potential berry-linked case.
On Wednesday, the South Australian education department said it held fears schools and childcare centres had served frozen berries contaminated with hepatitis A to children.
It said principals and directors at nine potentially affected sites were in the process of notifying parents, the ABC reported.
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Smoothies were reportedly prepared with recalled mixed berries and served to children as part of their afternoon snack at one childcare centre, the report said. Letters have been sent to parents notifying them about the health risk.
“Schools are asked to monitor the NSW Health website and the NSW Food Authority website for further updates on this situation,” the NSW alert also reads.
As of Wednesday afternoon, health authorities confirmed 14 hepatitis A cases related to the consumption of frozen berries.