The consumption of imported frozen berries has been connected to three cases of Hepatitis A, prompting the government of New Zealand to issue a warning to its citizens. NZ Food Safety’s warning urges customers to take extra precautions to protect themselves, especially if they are vulnerable, and states that there is not enough data to support a product recall.
According to a statement from Vincent Arbuckle, deputy director-general of NZFS, “We have lately learned of three instances of Hepatitis A, all of whom frequently consume imported frozen berries and are related by virus genotyping.”
The data from the instances and from worldwide experience implies a danger of exposure to Hepatitis A from consuming imported frozen berries, even though there is not enough information on a specific brand to start a targeted product recall.
It was necessary to remind customers of these basic measures as we approach the summer months when more frozen berries would be consumed. This is especially true for vulnerable groups of people, for contracting the hepatitis A virus can have negative effects that might be life-threatening.
It is recommended that pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic liver disease to boil frozen berries for a short time before eating them. You should also wash your hands before eating and preparing food. and ensure cooking temperatures exceed 85C for one minute.
According to Arbuckle, New Zealand has great mechanisms to reduce risk throughout the supply chain. He also said that food firms needed to be vetted and that there should be a system in place for product sampling and testing for imported goods.
They added, that imported berries are tested and sampled before being put on the market. And they won’t ever be able to entirely eradicate every threat to food safety in commercially available food, though. As a result, it’s advised to consumers to take additional safety measures at home. The top goal is to ensure customer safety, and they will keep an eye on the situation in that regard. As part of this, they are collaborating with suppliers of frozen berries to make sure they are informed of potential hazards and actively addressing the problem. If there is any indication of a larger danger, they will evaluate it and take the necessary steps, which may include product recalls.
The main causes of contamination by harmful bugs from the farm where berries are grown. The main sources of contamination include unclean water or soil, infected workers, and animals. The other sources of contamination are food handlers, machines, and equipment that can contaminate berries after they are harvested. The disease-causing bugs can be spread during freezing, mixing, or packaging that making berries unsafe to eat.
New Zealand Food Safety is advising people to be aware of the risks and if eating frozen berries to take the following precautions during pregnancy, if they are elderly or with chronic liver damage:
You can make frozen berries safe to eat by either:( as advised by NZ Food Safety)
Washing frozen berries will not remove the risk.
Most viruses and bacteria found on frozen berries can survive freezing. They also can survive freeze-drying, and heat treatments of less than 85 degrees Celsius.
Preparing berries safely is important when you:
Hepatitis A virus: A vaccination is available to prevent the water- and food-borne liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The disease is transferred by coming into contact with an infected person’s faeces, such as when a food handler doesn’t properly wash their hands after using the restroom. It takes between 15 to 50 days for symptoms to manifest after ingesting the virus.
Symptoms: Vomiting, Fever, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Jaundice (yellow skin), Dark urine, Fatigue, Abdominal pain
The vaccine can shield against seriously infectious liver illness. Getting immunized is advised by the Ministry of Health if you intend to travel, especially to high- or moderate-risk locations.
For further information related to this, please visit the following link.
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/news/media-releases/risk-of-hepatitis-a-from-frozen-berries/