A SOUTH Australian woman remains in a serious condition in hospital after a suspected outbreak of hepatitis A stemming from a contaminated frozen pomegranate product.

SA Health has issued a reminder to the public to not consume 180g Creative Gourmet frozen pomegranate arils which have since been recalled.

While tests are still being conducted the contaminated products are thought to be the cause of two hepatitis A outbreaks in South Australia.

A 33-year-old man and 64-year-old were both hospitalised after being diagnosed with the viral infection after purchasing the product from Coles.

The man has been discharged but the woman remains in a serious condition in hospital.

SA Health’s Director of Food and Controlled Drugs, Dr Fay Jenkins, said the cases were an important reminder to consumers to dispose of any products affected by the recall.

“We know frozen goods, in particular foods like berries and pomegranate, can sometimes stay in people’s freezers for many months following their purchase,” Dr Jenkins said.

“We would ask consumers to check their freezer and dispose of 180g Creative

Gourmet frozen pomegranate arils packets with any best-before date up to March 21,

2020, or return them to Coles for a full refund.

“Fresh pomegranate and frozen Australian-grown pomegranate products are not

affected.”

In early April Creative Gourmet, Entyce Food Ingredients, initiated the recall of the multiple best-before dates because of its links to a hepatitis A outbreak in New South Wales.

All best before dates up to and including 21 March 2020 were affected.

There have been 11 cases of hepatitis A linked to the product across Australia.

Symptoms of hepatitis A include nausea, vomiting, fever, yellowing of the skin, dark

urine and pale stools, and the infection can take from 15 to 50 days to develop.

If symptoms appear, people who have eaten Creative Gourmet frozen pomegranate

from Coles should consult their doctor as early as possible.

Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.