Screening, labeling still issues in Hep A berry outbreak

Frozen berries being imported into Australia have been upgraded to ‘medium risk’ by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), and 100% of the berries coming in from Chinese facilities identified following the Hepatitis A outbreak will be fully screened after the number of cases across Australia reached more than 18, incorporating at least four states (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia). 

While there was a statement issued by Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, to the effect that ‘these sorts of imports’ are being 100% screened, many were left wondering whether that meant 100% of frozen imported berries, or just those from facilities in China. Department of Agriculture Secretary Paul Grimes issued a clarifying statement in front of a senate estimates committee hearing, saying that “we have not made changes on surveillance rates for berries more broadly at this stage.” 

The Federal Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, and Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash released a further update on Tuesday to clarify that the 100% testing will also include testing for Hepatitis A indicators., and worked to reassure consumers. “Australian officials from our Department of Agriculture are on the ground working with the Chinese authorities on this matter,” said a statement released by the pair. “The Department of Agriculture has also sought information on supply chains from all importers of frozen berries from China.” 

There has been widespread discussion about the safety of importing frozen berries into Australia since the country experienced the latest outbreak of Hepatitis A from contaminated packages. The debate has centred around country of origin labeling and making it more obvious and clearer to the consumer, and a number of Australian growers have reassured consumers that their berries are safe to consume, and recommended freezing them at home. “With berries the consumer is expecting the product to be available all year round,” Jonathan Eccles, Executive Officer and Industry Development Manager for Raspberries and Blackberries Australia (RABA). “They’re so readily available in supermarkets. We’ve been growing berries year round for decades, but it’s been a cottage industry, only in temperate cool climates.” 

Mr Eccles also pointed to the fact that berry production in Australia could be ramped up with a move towards greenhouse production, but the market for frozen berries could never compete with overseas countries on price, according to Richard Bennett, from the Produce Marketing Association of Australia. “We could never compete with $5 per kilo, or packs of 375 grams. That competition has removed the domestic industry.” 

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Jonathan Eccles