Swedish authorities announced a virus outbreak earlier in May when a group of 70 people got sick, and three have died at a nursing facility after eating frozen, uncooked raspberries imported from Serbia.
This incident has led authorities to send reminders to people across Europe that eating the fruit without proper preparation can lead to serious liver problems, warnings they have already been issuing for the past three years.
Dr. Lisa O'Connor, chief specialist of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, recommends boiling the berries for one minute before consumption to avoid contracting diseases like Norovirus and Hepatitis A.
"There remains an ongoing risk in the global imported frozen berry supply chain. Food businesses using or selling imported frozen berries need to ensure that the berries they use are sourced from reputable suppliers operating effective food safety management systems," she said.
O'Connor calls for business and food providers to check their stock of the fruit and conduct additional safety measures in their food safety management system. The raspberries should bear signs that it has been cooked and is ready to be eaten before being served to consumers.
In 2013, 1,000 people were reported to have eaten contaminated raspberries in Europe. Five citizens from Ireland were found to have Hepatitis A after consumption.
World Health Organization describes Hepatitis A as a viral disease attacking the liver, "transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water, or through direct contact with an infectious person." Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach ache, dark-colored urine and jaundice.
Hepatitis A vaccines are available and can prevent the onset of the virus.
The organization is also including blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and red currants in their list of fruits to watch out for. These should also be boiled in a similar fashion to raspberries before consumption.
