A RECALL has been issued by PIRSA after the discovery that a consignment of commercial stone fruit, imported from Vic, was carrying Qld fruit fly larvae.
PIRSA Biosecurity executive director Nathan Rhodes said there was an investigation underway after a number of larvae detections were reported through the fruit fly hotline.
The fruit was bought from a variety of retail outlets, including Aldi, Coles, Woolworths and a local farmer's market.
"The Department is investigating this incident in liaison with Agriculture Vic, including the treatment of this fruit prior to its shipment into the state," he said.
"This detection does not constitute an outbreak of fruit fly under the National Fruit Fly Code of Practice.
"With the state responding to a series of fruit fly outbreaks across metropolitan Adelaide and the Riverland, the situation is being closely monitored."
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Mr Rhodes said SA's status as the only mainland fruit fly-free state was vital to its $1.3 billion horticultural industry, 37,500 jobs and 4000 businesses.
"In this instance quick action from the public have alerted us to this issue however we are regarding this incident with a great deal of seriousness and as a result there has been a withdrawal of affected produce from shelves," he said.
"We are working with affected distributors to make sure this happens as quickly as possible.
"The Department is following up as to why the pre-delivery treatment of this fruit under the interstate certification assurance process seems to have failed in this instance and until the investigation is complete controls have been put in place on future consignments from the affected suppliers.
"This incident once again underlies how important it is for us to regularly check all fruit, particularly if you are aware your purchase has originated from interstate."
Mr Rhodes said any sign of anything unusual, such as larvae or maggots, should result in the fruit placed in a sealed bag or container and a report to the Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010 to arrange collection.
- Details: fruitfly.sa.gov.au
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