Pams Frozen berry products update - recalled due to potential Hepatitis A in New Zealand

New Zealand

Foodstuffs Own Brands Ltd is recalling a specific batch of Pams brand Mixed Berries due to a possible link of Hepatitis A associated with frozen berries sourced from Serbia. The Mixed Berries were released from Foodstuffs South Island Hornby Distribution Centre in error on 14 January 2023 following the recall on 4 October 2022. All the affected products are sold at Trents Wholesale and Raeward Fresh stores throughout the South Island and in Pak’n Save, New World and Four Square stores throughout New Zealand.

The recalled products are:
- Pams brand Mixed Berries 500g, All batches
- Pams brand Two Berry Mix 1kg
- Pams brand Two Berry Mix 750g
- Pams brand Smoothie Berry Mix 500g
- Pams brand Raspberries 500g
- Pams brand Raspberries 350g

The products are sold in various sizes in plastic bags, and all batches and all date-making are affected. The products have not been re-exported. Product with a best before date of 14/08/2024 is affected by this update however, all products in this notice are subject to this recall.

There is currently an outbreak of Hepatitis A associated with the consumption of frozen berries. In the January 12, 2023, Hepatitis outbreak update, a total of 35 locally-acquired cases of hepatitis A with identical or near-identical sequence profiles have been linked to the current outbreak since 28 June 2022. 3 new cases associated with the outbreak have been identified since the last update. 7 cases with the outbreak sequence profile did not report consuming berries. Of all cases, 34 are genotype IA and have an identical or very similar sequence profile, which indicates they likely came from the same source. Sequencing for one case linked to the outbreak is pending.

New Zealand Food Safety’s advice to consumers is to:
- Briefly boil frozen berries before eating them, or if you have a thermometer at home, ensure cooking temperatures exceed 85 degrees Celsius for 1 minute. Heated berries can be safely refrozen for later use.
- If you microwave berries, you should stir half-way through the cooking process to make sure they are cooked through. Microwave’s settings will vary, the important thing is to ensure the berries reach boiling.
- Wash your hands before eating and preparing food.

People who have these products at home should not eat them raw. Bringing them to the boil will make them safe, or they can be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.

If you are experiencing Hepatitis A symptoms like fever, jaundice, nausea, clay-colored stool, dark urine, malaise, abdominal discomfort, or vomiting, it is important to report it. It can help to detect and resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety-home/food-recalls-and-complaints/recalled-food-products/pams-brand-frozen-berries/