Victoria’s chief health officer, Dr John Carnie, said 200 cases of hepatitis A have been reported this year compared to 74 last year.
A study of 50 of the notified cases, which appear to be largely confined to Victoria, shows a strong association between the illness and the consumption of semi-dried tomatoes, he said.

NSW health authorities have also issued a warning after three of the five people diagnosed with Hepatitis A since August were shown to have consumed the product.
Hepatitis A is spread when traces of faecal matter containing the virus contaminates hands, objects, water or food and is then taken in by mouth.