Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has urged anyone with a 1kg pack of Nanna’s Frozen Mixed Berries in their freezer to immediately throw them out as it may be contaminated with Hepatitis A.
UPDATED: Tuesday 17th February:
Nanna’s have just added their Nanna’s Frozen Raspberries Pack, 1kg with Best Before date up to and including 15/09/16 in a precautionary measure in the interests of public safety after investigations identified the potential link to a specific source of raspberries in China. The Facebook post claims “The specific source supplied raspberries which were packed in Nanna’s and Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries, that were the subject of the Consumer Recall announced over the weekend.”
Further, eight people have now contracted the virus after eating the contaminated frozen mixed berries, including 2 from NSW, 3 in Victoria and 3 new cases in Queensland since the recall was announced. A ninth person, also from Queensland, has tested positive to the Hepatitis A virus but the QLD Health Department say it’s unclear if they consumed the suspect berries. The number of Australians to contract Hepatitis A from frozen consuming the contaminated berries is expected to increase.
Patties Foods CEO Steven Chaur said the wider recall was a precautionary measure. “We have decided that all our frozen Mixed Berries should be recalled until such time as we receive the results of further laboratory tests,” Mr Chaur said.
The suspect berries were packed in China before distribution in Australia.
Hepatitis A is spread when traces of faecal matter containing the virus come in contact with hands, water or food and then enter a person’s mouth.
People who have eaten the suspect berries are being advised to look out for symptoms such as fever, chills, tiredness, abdominal pain, nausea and jaundice.
The average incubation period of the virus is 28 days but can range anywhere from 15 to 50 days. Most people recover, however people with chronic liver issues are at risk of death.
Concerned consumers can call the Patties Foods Hotline on 1800 650 069.
Sunday, 15th February:
Patties Foods has today extended its Consumer Recall of Nanna’s Frozen Mixed Berries to include Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries 300g and 500g packs, as a precautionary measure, in the interests of public safety.
According to their Facebook post, the Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries 300g and 500g packs have also been recalled as a precautionary measure. SEe the full release below.
PATTIES FOODS MEDIA RELEASE: UPDATE
15 February 2015
Patties Foods extends Nanna’s Frozen Mixed Berries Consumer Recall to include Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries
Patties Foods has today extended its Consumer Recall of Nanna’s Frozen Mixed Berries to include Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries 300g and 500g packs, as a precautionary measure, in the interests of public safety.
This follows the announcement yesterday of a Consumer Recall of Nanna’s Frozen Mixed Berries 1kg packs, on advice from the Victorian Health Department of potential Hepatitis A contamination.
Patties Foods MD & CEO, Steven Chaur, said “while our quality control testing to date has 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,” Mr Chaur said.
A detailed testing process is continuing with health authorities.
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services fully supports the actions taken by Patties Foods.
The Consumer Recall is for:
- Nanna’s Mixed Berries 1kg, All Batches up to and including Best Before Date 22/11/16
- Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries 300g, All Batches up to and including Best Before Date 10/12/17
- Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries 500g, All Batches up to and including Best Before Date 06/10/17
Patties Foods advises consumers not to eat the product, and return packs to the place of purchase for a full cash refund.
Grocery customers have been advised to remove the product from sale, and Consumer Recall advertising is being conducted in national daily newspapers.
All other Nanna’s, Creative Gourmet and Patties Foods products remain unaffected by this recall.
“We thank our consumers and customers for their understanding during this difficult time and assure them the company is doing its best to investigate the matter, answer consumer enquiries and protect public safety.
“Our Consumer Hotline remains open from 7am to 9pm daily to assist consumers with enquiries,” Mr Chaur said.
Consumers with enquiries are asked to call the Consumer Hotline, 1800 650 069, between 7am and 9pm AEDT.
Saturday, 14th February 2015
The Department of Health is also calling on the company to recall the product after three Victorian adults and one in New South Wales were diagnosed with the disease.
Customers this morning blasted the company for not issuing any advice via social media. This post has just gone up on their social media page for full FAQ.
Consumers are being warned to avoid the imported product, which is stocked at major supermarkets including Coles, Woolworths and IGA and only the Mixed Berries with a Best Before Date up to and including 22/11/16.
It contains strawberries, raspberries and blackberries from China, and blueberries from Chile. The products are packed in China and distributed in Australia by Patties, based in Bairnsdale.
Dr Lester said frozen berries had been implicated in past outbreaks.
“Hepatitis A virus infection is uncommon, and normally associated with travel to countries affected by endemic hepatitis A,” Dr Lester said.
“The only common link between the cases is consumption of this product — there is no overseas travel or common restaurant exposure.
“Sampling of the product will be undertaken to identify the virus, but it is difficult to find hepatitis A virus even in a contaminated batch.”
Hepatitis A is spread when traces of faecal matter containing the virus contaminate hands, objects, water or food and is then taken in by mouth.
Symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, fever and chills and yellow skin or eyes. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their GP or Nurse On Call on 1300 606 024.
6 Comments
I buy the Frozen Blueberries… now I’m aware that they’re different from their Mixed berries… can someone guarantee that the blueberries range is not affected?
I would throw them out if they are any of the brands mentioned above, as precaution. Meanwhile other outlets still sell frozen mixed berries from different manufacturers (i.e. aldi stores)
Yes but keep in mind they are also from Chile, so until the source of contamination is identified just eat fresh. I am keeping my Aldi frozen Raspberries until I know the contamination wasn’t Chile.
I just bought a 1kg pack of avocado from them… Should I throw them away? Still haven’t open. Now worried about this brand even though last time I ate berries from them half a year ago.
adjust the raspberries data, up to and including the best before date, not only that bb date, read the Facebook post for further info.
Never buy processed foods, lollies and frozen fruits that are produced in China!
I don’t know if it is reasonable to say Australia as a capitalist country, companies source their products by spending the minimum dollars in China or elsewhere and sell them to our Australian market for maximum profit without additional ethical contribution to the locals apart from the norm…employment opportunities…etc.
For domestic consumer goods, we have the choice to pay for cheap quality made in China products OR the high quality made in China products for those who can afford a little more. But…
What we talking now is edible things we digest to keep us alive. What feed them? Air, water quality and the amount of quality sunlight. Where is the best place to find? AUSTRALIA!
I’m Australian Chinese but I always spend a bit more for veges and fruits that are “born” in Australia only ( including those “ethical ones” that I grow in my own backyard). Not from Coles or Wollies, remember they are the big “Profit numbers $677,089,890~” businesses. I shop only from local small fruit stores who source their fruits from the farm or the wholesalers. Eat safe!