GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
THREE senior Wests Tigers players will be tested for hepatitis A after consuming what they believe were the same contaminated Chinese-grown berries linked to Australia’s superbug outbreak.
The Tigers trio came forward after club doctor Peter Lorentzos briefed the entire playing squad about the impact of the infection prior to a training and community visit at Campbelltown on Tuesday.
Under the guidance of Wests Tigers high physical performance manager Corey Bocking and his consultant Keegan Smith, the majority of the Tigers players have committed to a strict gluten-free, clean-living diet regimen since last October.
The diet features smoothies and health shakes, which includes the use of frozen berries.
Victorian company Patties foods have recalled at least two of their frozen mixed berries products, including Nannas and Creative Gourmet, amid fears they are contaminated with hepatitis A.
Having come forward of their own accord, the three Tigers players were provided with a referral for an appointment with their local GP, where they will be tested for any possible infection.
Aware of the food scandal which has forced the removal of frozen berries from supermarket shelves, Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer said it would be naive of the club not to take the matter seriously.
“As soon as the club were aware of it and the players put their hands up and said “we believe we’ve eaten these berries” the club doctor issued referrals for the boys to get tested,’’ Mayer said.
“From a duty of care point-of-view the club has taken this very seriously with the view of that the players are treated appropriately.’’
Tigers coach Jason Taylor said he saw no sign of illness or condition from the three players who were subjected to the recalled berries and that tests were required merely “as part of a process.’’
“The doctor spoke to the guys about the brands of berries which have been recalled and how we’ll handle that going forward,’’ Taylor said.
“We were having a meeting before training and the doctor wanted to talk to the players about it because a couple of the boys had said they may have eaten the berries.
“So the doctor briefed the group about what hep A is and how it works. It was all very straight forward.
“Now they’ll get a test, like anyone else would.’’
Taylor said he was hopeful that three players would be available for the club’s final trial match against Cronulla at Campbelltown on Saturday night.
[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-players-caught-in-hepatitis-a-scare-over-chinese-berries/story-fni3gpz1-1227223240420?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailytelegraphnrlndm+%28Daily+Telegraph+|+NRL%29](http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-players-caught-in-hepatitis-a-scare-over-chinese-berries/story-fni3gpz1-1227223240420?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailytelegraphnrlndm+%28Daily+Telegraph+%7C+NRL%29)
The Tigers trio came forward after club doctor Peter Lorentzos briefed the entire playing squad about the impact of the infection prior to a training and community visit at Campbelltown on Tuesday.
Under the guidance of Wests Tigers high physical performance manager Corey Bocking and his consultant Keegan Smith, the majority of the Tigers players have committed to a strict gluten-free, clean-living diet regimen since last October.
The diet features smoothies and health shakes, which includes the use of frozen berries.
Victorian company Patties foods have recalled at least two of their frozen mixed berries products, including Nannas and Creative Gourmet, amid fears they are contaminated with hepatitis A.
Having come forward of their own accord, the three Tigers players were provided with a referral for an appointment with their local GP, where they will be tested for any possible infection.
Aware of the food scandal which has forced the removal of frozen berries from supermarket shelves, Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer said it would be naive of the club not to take the matter seriously.
“As soon as the club were aware of it and the players put their hands up and said “we believe we’ve eaten these berries” the club doctor issued referrals for the boys to get tested,’’ Mayer said.
“From a duty of care point-of-view the club has taken this very seriously with the view of that the players are treated appropriately.’’
Tigers coach Jason Taylor said he saw no sign of illness or condition from the three players who were subjected to the recalled berries and that tests were required merely “as part of a process.’’
“The doctor spoke to the guys about the brands of berries which have been recalled and how we’ll handle that going forward,’’ Taylor said.
“We were having a meeting before training and the doctor wanted to talk to the players about it because a couple of the boys had said they may have eaten the berries.
“So the doctor briefed the group about what hep A is and how it works. It was all very straight forward.
“Now they’ll get a test, like anyone else would.’’
Taylor said he was hopeful that three players would be available for the club’s final trial match against Cronulla at Campbelltown on Saturday night.
[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-players-caught-in-hepatitis-a-scare-over-chinese-berries/story-fni3gpz1-1227223240420?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailytelegraphnrlndm+%28Daily+Telegraph+|+NRL%29](http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-players-caught-in-hepatitis-a-scare-over-chinese-berries/story-fni3gpz1-1227223240420?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailytelegraphnrlndm+%28Daily+Telegraph+%7C+NRL%29)
