Australians get hepatitis A from Chinese berries

Nine Australians have contracted hepatitis A linked with eating contaminated berries from China, with the importer apologising Tuesday as the food scare spreads. Manufacturer Patties Foods has recalled four products including the Nanna’s and Creative Gourmet brands of mixed berries and Nanna’s raspberries after infections in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. Poor hygiene among Chinese workers and potentially contaminated water supplies in China are likely to have caused the outbreak

"Hepatitis A virus infection is uncommon and normally associated with travel to countries affected by endemic hepatitis A. The only common link between the cases is consumption of this product - there is no overseas travel or common restaurant exposure.

Rosemary Lester, chief health officer in Victoria state, where three cases have been reported.

The hepatitis A cases are linked with Nanna’s Frozen Mixed Berries, with three other brands pulled off shelves as a precaution. They are all sold nationally in major supermarkets, having been packed in China.

The virus either directly contaminates the food through a food handler not washing their hands properly or it could come from contaminated water used to wash the berries.

Rosemary Lester

Health Hepatitis A