Tougher food screening measures could be introduced in Australia after frozen berries from China were linked to a growing number of hepatitis A infections, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said today.
Nanna’s and Creative Gourmet brand raspberries and mixed berries have been recalled after they were linked to four infections in New South Wales and Victoria states, with poor hygiene and contaminated water at their packing factory thought to be responsible.
Since then more infections have emerged in Queensland and Western Australia, with the government confirming at least 13 cases nationally so far.
Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects the liver, causing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and jaundice. It has an incubation period of up to 50 days.
Asked whether the scare demanded more controls on imports, Joyce said: “That might be a consequence of a review that is being undertaken.
“The health ministers [of states and territories] are discussing this issue right now,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Joyce also called for a strengthening of Australian labelling laws on food products and urged consumers to buy local produce.