Prompt warnings to prevent foodborne illness

The NSW Food Authority has addressed claims made yesterday in relation to foodborne illness investigations or unsafe food issues not being publicly reported promptly.

On Friday the NSW Food Authority worked with the supplier of Creative Gourmet pomegranate arils, Entyce Food Ingredients, which initiated a voluntary recall of the product due to potential hepatitis A contamination.

The product was removed from shelves within hours of NSW Health receiving information of a link between the product and a number of locally-acquired hepatitis A cases and a public alert was issued.

NSW Food Authority CEO Lisa Szabo said the Authority was not currently conducting any other investigations that are likely to necessitate any public warning or require the broader community to take action.

"The decision to issue a public warning is based the specifics of each case, the level of risk to the public, and whether any action is required from consumers or retailers," Dr Szabo said.

"In all cases public health considerations come first."

The Authority works with NSW Health and equivalent interstate and Commonwealth counterparts to identify and take appropriate action in relation to any foods of concern.

This includes foods that may potentially be associated with foodborne illness outbreaks or that may be unsuitable for other reasons such as the presence of undeclared allergens or contaminants.

The NSW Authority encourages all members of the public to report food complaints to its hotline 1300 522 406 and any illness seek medical assistance.