A specific source of raspberries from China look to be the common link in a consumer recall of four Patties Foods frozen berry products linked to hepatitis A this week.
Twelve people - five in Queensland, three in Victoria, and four in New South Wales - have now reportedly fallen ill with the virus after eating the frozen berries.
“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,” MD & CEO of Patties Foods, Steven Chaur, said.
On Saturday Patties Foods announced a full national consumer recall of 1kg packs of Nanna’s Frozen Mixed Berries, following advice from the Victorian Health Department of potential Hepatitis A contamination.
On Sunday it extended the recall to include 300g and 500g Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries, and yesterday, Patties Foods extended the recall to Nanna’s Raspberries, which it said were linked to a specific source in China.
Chaur said the further recall was a precautionary measure in the interests of public safety.
“While there are no confirmed test results indicating a potential link to Hepatitis A, we are working proactively with health authorities based on the information they have presented to date."
According to Chaur, raspberries from the specific supplier were also packed in Nanna’s and Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries, but not in Creative Gourmet Raspberries.
“The supplier of raspberries is no longer used by Patties Foods,” Chaur said.
“Some product that was previously supplied by the source may still be in the market and we are taking this added precautionary measure of conducting an additional consumer recall of all frozen raspberries associated with this specific source located in China, in the interests of public safety.”
The consumer recall comes in advance of further microbiological test results, according to Chaur, given the potential health threat.
“As a company, we apologise to our consumers and customers for the concern and distress this is causing,” Chaur said.
The company noted that Nanna’s fruit pie products are not affected by the recall.
