PM Tony Abbott tells Question Time that all frozen berries are being ‘stopped at the border’, after overseas produced berries were linked to Hepatitis A.
- Gemma Sutherland explains how the outbreak of Hepatitis A may have occurred, and how you can protect yourself from the risks.
Security issues to dominate … Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Source: News Corp Australia
ALL frozen berries from the overseas producer linked to the Hepatitis A health scare will not be allowed into the country and allowed for human consumption.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott told parliamentary question time this afternoon that the berries were being “stopped at the border”.
“They will not ever be allowed for human consumption,” Mr Abbott said.
Nana’s 1kg frozen mixed berries and frozen raspberries and Creative Gourmet mixed berries — both distributed by Patties — have been linked to the hepatitis A outbreak.
A total of 18 people have been infected with the disease, with many more tested.
The Daily Telegraph reported last week that the raspberries packaged by the company originated from a dirty province in China where the river runs purple with pollution.
Mr Abbott was hammered with questions from the Opposition about the berries today in Question Time.
He said the berries had been categorised as “medium risk” and were being subject to 100 per cent screening.
“All the berries connected with this outbreak are being 100 per cent screened,” Mr Abbott told parliamentary question time.
“Frozen berries linked to cases of hepatitis A are no longer entering the food supply chain.
Interim risk advice has been provided that the suspect berries from the manufacturers linked to the cases of hepatitis A are a medium risk and a risk to human health and, as such, will be subject to 100 per cent inspection and testing at the border.”