Health scare puts Australia food labelling laws on spotlight

THE recent incidence of food-related health scare in Australia is expected to prompt a review of the country’s food labelling and importation laws.

Reuters reported 13 Australians have been diagnosed with hepatitis A after eating frozen mixed berries packaged in China and sold by Patties Foods Ltd. The berries were grown in Chile and China, and then packaged at a Chinese factory, where poor hygiene and tainted water supplies are thought to have caused contamination.

Patties announced the recall of its 1kg packs of Nanna’s Frozen Mixed Berries (with best before date until 15/09/16) on 14 February 2015.  In a statement, MD & CEO Steven Chaur said the source of the raspberries which were packed in Nanna’s and Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries were the subject of the recall, and that the company had already discontinued its business with the supplier.

“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,” Mr Chaur said. “The specific source did not supply raspberries for Creative Gourmet Raspberries 300g and 500g packs.”

Meanwhile, health officials anticipate more cases to be reported in the weeks ahead according to Reuters. Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease that is passed through contact with material contaminated with faeces from an infected person.

The hepatitis A outbreak is fuelling support for a revamp of Australia’s lax food labelling laws, with changes focused on having clear identification of the origin of food on products. Minority opposition Greens Party has introduced a bill into the Australian parliament calling for more informative labelling on products for sale in Australia.

Federal Agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce was stated as saying weak labelling laws based on country of origin have allowed manufacturers to use "sneaky terms" to "earn a premium" on low-priced and low-quality products. Under existing laws, the term "made from Australian and imported ingredients" is common. It does not, however, provide details on the exact origins of a product’s ingredients or where it was packaged.

The initiative to amend current food labelling laws coincides with growing pressure on consumers to buy local produce, which could impact imported food items, in particular those from China, and undercut a landmark free trade deal.