Frozen berries sold in independent supermarkets across the country are being recalled as a precaution while tests for hepatitis A continue.

Entyce Food Ingredients has recalled the Creative Gourmet mixed berries 300g product, sold at at IGA, Foodworks, Foodland, SPAR and Supabarn with a batch code of PP150118.

Victoria’s deputy chief health officer, Brett Sutton, released a health alert to warn that the frozen berries were potentially linked with an outbreak of Hepatitis A infection.

“As of 2 June 2017, Australian health authorities have identified four cases of hepatitis A infection that were acquired in Australia in 2017 and involve the affected strain of hepatitis A virus,” the alert said.

“One of these cases is an individual who resides in Victoria.”

Anyone who has consumed Creative Gourmet frozen mixed berries 300g packs with a best-before date of 15 January 2021 may be at risk.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand chief executive Glen Neil said agencies were still testing to determine whether the mixed berries were the cause of the outbreak.

The company said the berries were no longer being sold and no other batches were affected.

The Victorian Health department said an initial test was inconclusive for hepatitis A, while a secondary test cleared the berries of containing traces of the virus.

Two years ago multiple frozen berry brands were found to be contaminated with the virus, and a national recall was issued.

The contaminated fruit was imported from China and Chile, but was packed in the regional Victorian town of Bairnsdale.

