A health warning has been issued about unlabelled foods contaminated with rat poison after five people including a child were hospitalised in Logan, Queensland.
Queensland Health said on Friday night the source of the suspected poisoning cases had been identified as a homemade capsicum and chilli paste, and a homemade marinated eggplant containing a capsicum and chilli paste.
The products may have been purchased or gifted in the Logan area, south of Brisbane, from mid-September onwards, and should be thrown out immediately as they are not safe to eat. They should be disposed of in a bin to avoid them being consumed by pets or wildlife.
Three of the five people who were taken to hospital last week had eaten the products, Queensland Health said, and samples have tested positive for brodifacoum, the active ingredient in rat poison that inhibits Vitamin K, which is essential for blood to clot.
Brodifacoum can cause bleeding-related complications if ingested by humans, and symptoms include bleeding gums, unexplained bruises, blood in urine or stool, and swelling of joints.
Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall said there did not appear to be a risk to the wider community, but warned people to remain alert and monitor for symptoms.
“The identified products are homemade and do not appear to be widely distributed. It is believed they are available only very locally in the Logan community,” she said.
“We do not believe there is a widespread risk to the broader community however we encourage people in the Logan area to be alert. The investigation remains ongoing, we are continuing to make further enquiries and will keep the community updated.”
Queensland Health said anyone who believes they may have eaten either product or is experiencing bleeding that cannot be explained should seek immediate medical attention.
Header image: The poisoned food products (Queensland Health via Queensland Police).
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