Ruqayyah Snyder
Frozen berries are a popular product in Australia, with many consumers prioritizing product quality and seeking out Australian-grown produce. However, in the past, it was challenging to determine the country of origin for frozen berries sold in Australia, leading to concerns about food safety. Following an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to imported frozen berries in 2015, there have been efforts to improve country-of-origin labelling, giving consumers more transparency and the ability to make informed choices. Today, various brands offer frozen berries in Australia, including The Berry Man, Frozberries, My Berries, and Birds Eye. These brands provide a range of options, from mixed frozen berries to individual berry varieties, catering to the preferences and needs of Australian consumers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | The Berry Man, Frozberries, My Berries |
| Location | Australia-wide, Adelaide, Brisbane |
| Product | Frozen berries, fruits, vegetables, juices, purees, dairy products, nuts, dry goods |
| Product Features | Organic, locally sourced, chemical-free, fresh, premium quality, A-grade |
| Product Format | 1kg bags, 8kg cartons, 10kg cartons |
| Target Customers | Wholesalers, metro and regional Australia, in-store retail, home delivery |
| Labelling | Country of origin, kangaroo icon, bar chart indicating % of Australian ingredients, text |
| Testing | Microbiological, chemical, hepatitis A, E. coli, coliforms |
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The Berry Man
The company stocks Amazon Power acai, a well-known brand in Australia, and offers a variety of unique products to supplement their berries, purees, and juices. Their frozen purees are manufactured in Australia using local and imported fruits, ensuring fresh and healthy options for their customers.
With their state-of-the-art freezer warehouse in Brookvale, Sydney, The Berry Man is well-equipped to provide a seamless and reliable service to their customers.
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My Berries
The company's location in a prominent berry-growing region likely contributes to their ability to offer a diverse range of berries. While the specific types of berries they offer are not mentioned, the close relationship between My Berries and local farmers suggests a potential variety of options, depending on the season and availability.
In addition to their focus on local sourcing and freshness, My Berries may also prioritise safe handling and transportation. Similar to other frozen berry distributors in Australia, such as The Berry Man, My Berries likely understands the importance of proper freezing and storage to maintain product quality and safety. This includes recommendations to store frozen berries at specific temperatures and guidelines for thawing and refreezing to prevent potential issues.
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Frozberries
The company has a strong focus on customer satisfaction, with knowledgeable staff who are always available to assist customers with their shopping needs and provide expert advice. Frozberries also offers a convenient and reliable delivery service, ensuring that orders arrive in excellent condition.
In addition to frozen berries, Frozberries provides a diverse range of products, including fruits, vegetables, and dairy items, making it a one-stop shop for customers' grocery needs. The company's dedication to quality and customer service has made it a trusted choice for individuals seeking premium frozen produce.
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$12.5
Country of origin labelling
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is responsible for enforcing these laws and can take enforcement action against businesses that do not comply with the Food Labelling Standard. Businesses that supply food for retail sale must comply with the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2016. This includes food sold in stores, markets, or online and from vending machines, whether packaged or unpackaged.
The type of labelling required depends on whether the food is grown, produced, made, or packed in Australia or another country. There are three general formats for country of origin food labelling: a graphic and text-based label, which is mandatory for priority food items grown, produced, or made in Australia; a statement identifying whether the food was grown, produced, or made in Australia, and the percentage of Australian ingredients; and a graphic and text-based label for priority food items packed in Australia, which may also be used for imported foods with Australian ingredients. Imported priority foods must carry a country of origin text statement, such as "Made in China" or "Product of Brazil," in a clearly defined box.
The ACCC has plans to conduct market surveillance checks on 10,000 food products to ensure businesses are correctly displaying the new labels. This is particularly important in the case of frozen berries, as there have been concerns about the safety of imported products in the past, with hepatitis A cases linked to imported frozen berries in 2015.
Some companies in Australia that sell frozen berries include The Berry Man and Frozberries SA. The Berry Man offers a range of frozen berries and fruits, including acai, and supplies businesses such as wholesalers. Frozberries SA is a family-owned company based in Adelaide that offers frozen fruit, vegetables, nuts, and dry goods for retail and home delivery in Adelaide metropolitan areas.
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Hepatitis A outbreak
In 2015, there was an outbreak of foodborne illness attributed to the hepatitis A virus (HAV) in Australia. The source of the outbreak was packs of frozen mixed berries and frozen raspberries. At least 14 people in Australia were sickened, with illnesses spread across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia. The berries were packed in China for Patties Foods, based in Victoria, under the Nanna's and Creative Gourmet brands. The origin of the berries is believed to be a combination of China, Chile, and Turkey.
Following the outbreak, there were calls for improved country-of-origin labelling on food products. It was often difficult for consumers to determine the country of origin of frozen fruit and vegetables, which was a cause for concern in the wake of the hepatitis A outbreak. As a result, new labelling laws were introduced, requiring products made, grown, or produced in Australia to display a triangle logo with a kangaroo icon and a bar chart indicating the percentage of Australian ingredients. Imported priority food must carry a country of origin text statement, such as "Made in China" or "Product of Brazil."
The hepatitis A virus is a communicable disease that spreads via the "fecal-oral route." Symptoms of infection may include fatigue, diarrhea, stomach cramps, dark urine, and jaundice. Symptoms typically appear around 10 to 12 days after exposure, and the virus is usually present in an infected person's blood and feces. While hepatitis A infections usually last less than two months, relapse is possible. Most individuals with hepatitis A infections recover, although chronic forms of hepatitis, such as B and C, can be more severe.
In 2017, there was another outbreak of hepatitis A linked to frozen berries in Australia. This time, the source was identified as 300-gram packs of Creative Gourmet Frozen Mixed Berries with a best-before date of January 15, 2021. The berries were sourced from Canada and China and processed in China before being imported by Entyce Food Ingredients. This outbreak led to further improvements in food safety legislation, with Australian authorities being granted greater powers to stop unsafe foods from entering the country. The new laws also placed greater responsibility on importers to ensure the safety of the food they bring into Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several brands of frozen berries that are made in Australia, including The Berry Man, Frozberries, and My Berries.
Products that are made, grown, or produced in Australia will have a triangle logo with a kangaroo icon and a bar chart indicating the percentage of Australian ingredients.
Some consumers are willing to pay extra for products grown, produced, or made in Australia, as they are perceived to be of higher quality and support local businesses and farmers.
