Pat Cutler, who runs Portland Strawberries with her husband Peter, said she wasn’t totally against foods being imported as long as they were subject to the same strict quality standards as Australian growers. 

Eighteen cases of hepatitis A have so far been reported nationwide. The source of the hepatitis A virus is still unconfirmed but Nana’s brand frozen mixed berries are the only common exposure for cases. Nana’s brand frozen raspberries and Creative Gourmet brand mixed berries have been recalled as a precaution. 

Hepatitis A is spread via food and water, including ice, that is contaminated with faecal matter from infected people.

Federal assistant minister for health Fiona Nash said it was time for “serious change” to country-of-origin labelling requirements. 

“Australian consumers deserve a simple, clear labelling system which makes it clear which country the produce is from,” she said. 

“Australian farmers deserve to have their product clearly identified so that consumers can reward our clean, green produce with their choices in the supermarket.”

Mrs Cutler said they had been selling more of their own frozen strawberries, but she wasn’t sure if that was linked to the hepatitis A outbreak. 

She said some customers had made comments about being concerned about eating frozen berries, but it didn’t seem to be driving a major increase in demand for their product.