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FDA’s New Guidelines to Prevent Berry Contamination

FDA’s New Guidelines to Prevent Berry Contamination

Overview

Berries often earn the title of “superfood” due to their numerous health benefits, but like all fresh produce, they can become contaminated. To protect consumer safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently updated its procedures to reduce the risk of viral contamination in fresh and frozen berries.

The Need for Change: Addressing Viral Contamination

In recent years, food recalls have drawn significant attention, ranging from yoghurt to protein powders. The FDA has taken action to prevent enteric viruses—such as norovirus and hepatitis A—from contaminating fresh and frozen berries. Although enteric virus outbreaks haven’t linked U.S.-grown berries to contamination in 35 years, imported berries have caused such outbreaks, highlighting the need for vigilance.

Understanding Enteric Viruses and Their Impact

Enteric viruses infect the intestines and cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Norovirus and hepatitis A are the primary viruses of concern, and their presence on berries poses a public health risk. Even though the personal risk of eating contaminated berries is low, past outbreaks have caused significant health issues.

The FDA’s Updated Strategy: Focus on Sanitation

To address these risks, the FDA’s new prevention strategy focuses on improving sanitation throughout the entire berry production process, from the field to processing facilities. This strategy emphasizes hygiene practices to prevent contamination by workers handling the berries, rather than relying on pesticides or chemicals. The key areas of focus include:

  • Ensuring that field workers maintain proper cleanliness while harvesting the berries
  • Implementing strict hygiene protocols in processing facilities
  • Taking steps to prevent viral contamination during harvesting and processing
  • Monitoring and controlling potential virus transmission among farm and facility employees

This approach is especially crucial for berries due to their delicate nature and their history of being linked to outbreaks of norovirus and hepatitis A.

Challenges in Berry Harvesting and Contamination Prevention

Hand-harvested berries, due to their vulnerability, present significant challenges in preventing contamination. Dr. Benjamin Chapman, a food safety expert at North Carolina State University, explains that their fragility makes berries susceptible to contamination during the picking process. If a worker handling the berries is ill or neglects proper hand hygiene, they can easily transmit viruses to the fruit.

Once contamination occurs, removing the pathogens proves difficult. Dr. Chapman notes, “Due to the fragility of berries, limited options exist for post-harvest handling.” Commercial cleaning methods can mash or destroy the fruit, and freezing the berries does not deactivate the viruses, making it especially challenging to eliminate contamination.

Global Health Concerns: The Worldwide Impact

The risk of viral contamination in berries extends beyond the U.S.—it is a global issue. In 2024, a joint panel from the United Nations and the World Health Organization identified frozen berries contaminated with hepatitis A and norovirus as one of the “greatest global public health challenges.” In the U.S., recent hepatitis A outbreaks linked to berries have been traced to an organic strawberry producer in Baja Mexico.

In 2022 and 2023, this producer was linked to a hepatitis A outbreak that resulted in 10 reported illnesses and four hospitalizations across states including California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington. These incidents underscore the importance of the FDA’s updated measures, which aim to improve safety for both domestic and imported berries.

Conclusion: A Step Toward Safer Berries

The FDA’s updated prevention strategy aims to minimize the risks posed by enteric viruses while prioritizing consumer safety. The risk of contamination remains low, but the FDA’s proactive approach aims to prevent future outbreaks. This ensures fresh and frozen berries stay safe and nutritious for consumers.

Source: The Times of India 

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