Esther Han Google+
Esther Han is the consumer affairs reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald. She was previously the food and wine news writer for Fairfax Media.
NSW hepatitis A patient 'very cranky' with frozen berries debacle
Esther Han, Mark Rayner and Lisa Cox A NSW woman who contracted hepatitis A and suffered from liver failure after flavouring water with tainted frozen berries is upset and angry at the lack of testing on imported foods.
Frozen berries: Australian producers angry about 'quality' statement
Esther Han The frozen berries maker embroiled in the national hepatitis A outbreak has been telling customers it does not always use Australian fruit because of "quality" concerns, outraging local growers.
Frozen berries maker embroiled in hepatitis A scare calls Country of Origin laws 'adequate'
Esther Han The Red Cross is scrambling to determine whether its donated blood supply is tainted, following four national recalls of frozen berries linked with hepatitis A outbreaks.
Hepatitis A: Blood donors who have eaten recalled berries told to contact Red Cross
Esther Han More than 110 blood donors have contacted the Red Cross in the past 24 hours to report their consumption of Patties frozen berries, as Heptitis A outbreak fears mount.
Nanna's frozen raspberries recalled over hepatitis fears
Esther Han NSW food safety and health authorities have extended the frozen berries recall to a fourth product - Patties Nanna's-branded frozen raspberries - following a string of hepatitis A cases in three...
Popular asthma medication combination could be fatal for children
Esther Han Too many asthmatic children are being prescribed a potent mix of medications that can be life-threatening, a leading paediatrician has warned.
Backpacker underpaid $5000 at Woolworths sushi bar, says Fair Work Ombudsman
Esther Han A sushi outlet housed in Woolworths supermarkets has paid back an employee on a working holiday visa $5000, after the workplace watchdog found it underpaid him.
Numbers game: How prices get shoppers 'feeling right' about a deal
Esther Han Ever wondered why a purchase felt so right? The psychology of price numbers is more important than you think.
Not buying into it: Why some shoppers don't purchase ethical products
Esther Han Shoppers who dismiss fair trade, organic and cruelty-free products say they are sceptical about the claims, confused by the labelling, and worried about being ripped off, research shows.
Energy retailers letting down customers in financial hardship, says regulator
Esther Han Some power companies are failing to promptly identify and offer help to struggling customers who, in a growing number of cases, have amassed debts worth thousands of dollars, the energy regulator...
Fish oil capsules: false omega-3 claims in Australia New Zealand
Esther Han Most fish oil capsules sold in Australia and New Zealand have less omega-3 fatty acids than their labels claim, a new study shows, promoting calls for consumer watchdogs to investigate.
Hard-copy books back on the rise as e-book and e-reader sales stagnate
Esther Han For years the story went that the e-book revolution would kill off paperbacks and the bricks-and-mortars that sold them – but the plot has twisted sharply.
3D body-scanning to help online shoppers find the perfect clothes fit
Esther Han The worst part of shopping for clothes online is choosing the wrong size, but a Sydney start-up says it has the solution.
Dairy industry wants to slap sports-related health claims on milk
Esther Han Drinking cows' milk after exercise instead of flashy-looking sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade is a better way to rehydrate the body, a Griffith University study shows.
Shoppers in a twist over inconsistent clothing sizes
Esther Han Mez Gallifuoco has hips that measure 102cm, like the average Australian woman according to the Bureau of Statistics. But depending on where she shops, the "perfect fit" can span three sizes.
Scammers masquerade as ACCC to steal money
Esther Han Scammers have hijacked the name of the agency charged with protecting people from scams in their latest attempt to trick people into handing over their hard-earned money.
Lost your credit card? Just hit the lock button on the app
Esther Han In the latest move to reduce credit card fraud, Commonwealth Bank has granted millions of its customers the power to instantly lock and unlock credit cards via a new feature on its mobile app.
World's deadliest spider hitches a ride into home with groceries
Esther Han A young British family has been left traumatised after they discovered the world's most lethal spider with a sac full of eggs hiding in their groceries.
Gas prices will explode due to Queensland exports, says Grattan Institute
Esther Han Larger households that use gas for cooking, hot water and heating will be hit with a yearly bill increase of up to $435 in the eastern states, the Grattan Institute said.
Call to overhaul fishy seafood labelling
Esther Han A coalition of environmental groups, restaurants and academics have joined forces to demand reforms to Australia's lax labelling laws, saying too many consumers are being led to believe their seafood...
