Hepatitis A Risk from Imported Frozen Berries

Eating imported frozen berries can put you at Hepatitis A risk. New Zealand Food Safety warns consumers especially those with liver damage to stay away from frozen berries. Virus genotyping has recently established at link between three cases of Hepatitis A in the country and consumption of imported frozen berries, reports Xinhua news agency.

"While there is not sufficient information on a specific brand to initiate a targeted product recall, the evidence from the cases and from international experience indicates a risk of exposure to Hepatitis A from consuming imported frozen berries," Arbuckle said.

Risk of Hepatitis A from Frozen Berries

Consumers have been reminded to take extra precautions as New Zealand is moving towards the summer months when more frozen berries will be consumed, he said.

The New Zealand Food Safety suggests briefly boiling frozen berries before eating them, or ensuring cooking temperatures exceed 85 degrees Celsius for one minute.

"Imported berries are subject to a sampling and testing regime before being released for sale," Arbuckle said, adding any food safety risk cannot be eliminated completely from food for sale.

The department is working with frozen berry suppliers to ensure they are aware of potential risks and are actively managing the issue, and actions including product recalls will be taken if any evidence of a wider risk has been identified, he said.

Source-IANS