Since the late 1990s, berries have been at the center of hepatitis A and norovirus outbreaks in the United States. Despite the vast majority of fresh and frozen berries being safely consumed, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is determined to put an end to these outbreaks. Most of these berries are imported, with notable outbreaks in 2022 and 2023 linked to a company in Baja California, Mexico. In response, the FDA has crafted a new prevention strategy aimed at improving food safety and sanitation practices within the global berry industry.
The FDA's approach focuses on imported berries, which constitute a significant portion of the U.S. berry market. According to 2023 data, half of frozen strawberries and 91% of fresh raspberries available in the U.S. were imported. The same year saw about 64% of fresh blueberries and 95% of frozen blueberries being sourced from other countries. This heavy reliance on imports highlights the importance of international collaboration in ensuring food safety standards are met across borders.
Recent studies by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States have ranked frozen berries second among foods associated with global norovirus and hepatitis A outbreaks. These viruses are highly resistant, capable of surviving freezing and processing conditions that are typically meant to kill harmful pathogens. As Ramos noted, "Freezing preserves the virus and allows it to survive for longer."
The FDA's prevention strategy seeks to address these challenges by enhancing scientific understanding and improving detection methods for viruses in berries. Goodwin stated, "One goal is to broaden scientific knowledge about the viability, persistence, detection, and mitigation of viruses in fresh and frozen berries, pre-and post-harvest environments, and agricultural water sources."
The plan involves utilizing modern scientific methods to identify and mitigate risks associated with berries. Quoc Le explained that "FDA’s prevention strategy will be focused on using modern scientific methods to assess whether or not a risk is present in berries, combining laboratory analysis, data, and statistics to better pinpoint where issues are cropping up and stopping it at its source."
Hepatitis A and norovirus are notorious for their ability to endure harsh conditions. These viruses can persist in agricultural and processing environments, often being spread by workers who handle the produce. "Workers who have the virus but do not suffer the symptoms may not properly wash their hands, contaminating berries as they are being picked," Bryan Quoc Le pointed out. This factor underscores the necessity for stringent employee health protocols in the agricultural sector.
Interestingly, no enteric outbreaks have been linked to domestically grown berries in over 35 years. Patti Ramos highlighted that "imported fresh and frozen berries can pose slightly higher risk than domestic fresh or frozen berries due to differing food handling and processing practices." This disparity emphasizes the need for uniform safety standards across international borders.
Despite these challenges, berries remain a popular choice among consumers due to their nutritional benefits. Ramos emphasized, "Berries are excellent sources of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, making them nutritional powerhouses." Nevertheless, consumers must be vigilant about potential health risks associated with imported berries.
"As with any public health concern, consumers must weigh the risks and rewards and make the choice that is right for them," advised Ramos. The FDA's strategy aims to limit or prevent future outbreaks by addressing root causes or likely causal factors linked to certain FDA-regulated foods. Goodwin affirmed this objective, noting that "through the prevention strategy, the FDA industry and other interest holders seek to address the root cause or likely causal factors of outbreaks linked to certain FDA-regulated foods and help limit or prevent future outbreaks."
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