The FDA has developed a new strategy to prevent the contamination of fresh and frozen berries with viruses such as hepatitis A and norovirus.

“Collaboration between regulators, the global berry industry, and other interest holders has been critical for the development of this strategy. We look forward to ongoing collaboration

Continue Reading FDA announces new strategy to prevent contamination of fresh and frozen berries

At least a dozen people have been sickened in the Netherlands after eating blueberries contaminated with hepatitis A.

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) received reports of patients with hepatitis A from two Municipal Health Services (GGD) in the south and southwest of the Netherlands.

Patients

Continue Reading Frozen blueberries linked to Dutch hepatitis A infections

WHO and FAO have published the full report of an exercise that ranked foodborne viruses according to frequency and severity.

The first part of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) meetings focused on food attribution, analytical methods, and indicators.

Experts reviewed the scientific literature

Continue Reading WHO and FAO published a report ranking foodborne viruses

Food authorities in New Zealand are looking at strengthening the import requirements for frozen berries.

New Zealand Food Safety is inviting comments on proposals that include changing the imported food category of frozen berries from “increased regulatory interest (IRI)” to “high regulatory interest (HRI).”

The new rules would apply to

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A hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen berries has sickened almost 60 people in Germany across two years.

A total of 55 sequence-confirmed cases and four probable infections have been identified from 10 federal states, according to the Robert Koch Institut (RKI).

In January 2022, RKI was informed about eight

Continue Reading Germany hit by 3-year hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen berries

— OPINION —

Soft fruits like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and berry blends play an important part of an overall healthy diet. While millions of servings are consumed safely every day, they continue to be occasionally linked to hepatitis A (HAV) and norovirus outbreaks around the globe.

Investigation of a recent

Continue Reading Is mandatory testing the best approach for managing hepatitis A in berries?