In New Zealand, a hepatitis A outbreak related to imported frozen berries is increasing. Several frozen berry products sold under the Pams brand have been recalled by Foodstuffs Own Brands due to a probable connection to hepatitis A cases. Products have been withdrawn from New World, Pak’n Save, and Four-Square stores across the country, as well as Trents and Raeward Fresh stores on the South Island. The affected products include all lots and dates of the Pams brand Mixed Berries 500-gram, Two Berry Mix 1-kilogram and 750-gram, Smoothie Berry Mix 500-gram, and Raspberries 500-gram and 350-gram.

Since late June, there have been 21 hepatitis A illnesses linked to eating frozen berries. Genetic sequencing has linked 17 people, indicating that they were most likely exposed to the same virus source. 9 patients have been admitted to the hospital. 3 hepatitis A infections were reported to the Ministry for Primary Industries by the Ministry of Health in September. All patients reported eating uncooked imported frozen berries.

The virus in New Zealand has genetic characteristics with one that sickened people in Sweden in 2020 and 2021. The incident included frozen berries imported from Serbia. Serbian berries are present in recalled New Zealand products. The Institute of Environmental Science and Research has not yet discovered any hepatitis A virus in its product testing. Other frozen berry importers have put products that can be traced back to Serbia on hold while the inquiry is ongoing.

Hepatitis A Virus:

Hepatitis A virus is rendered inactive by heating to temperatures over 85 degrees Celsius for 1 minute. The virus will not be eliminated by washing frozen fruit. The virus spreads when a person consumes it after coming into contact with an infected person, eating contaminated food, or drinking contaminated liquids. Symptoms include liver inflammation, fever, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle aches, and skin and eye whitened skin. The hepatitis A virus can cause illness two to seven weeks after infection, and symptoms typically last shorter than two months.