Food Standards Australia New Zealand is seeking public comment on an “urgent amendment” to the Food Standard Code with regard to semi-dried tomatoes. The proposed measures would require traceability and processing requirements of semi-dried tomatoes and ingredients within Australia. In November 2009 Australian health authorities advised people to avoid eating semi-dried tomatoes unless they were thoroughly cooked. This followed the investigation of locally-acquired cases of hepatitis... ...Read more »

Australia’s leading semi-dried tomato producers are adamant that their product is safe despite warnings from Victoria’s Department of Human Services (DHS) about a potential link to hepatitis A. Victorian health authorities said that loose semi-dried tomatoes should not be eaten unless thoroughly cooked, a warning that has upset Australian producers given that the only conclusive link previously found has been to imported produce. Investigation An investigation was instigated recently... ...Read more »