The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a new strategy to prevent contamination of fresh and frozen berries with enteric viruses such as Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) and human norovirus (NoV). This initiative is part of FDA’s efforts to enhance food safety and reduce foodborne illnesses.
The FDA’s prevention strategy addresses factors that may contribute to contamination, such as inadequate hygienic practices among field workers, cross-contamination during processing and gaps in food safety systems. The strategy also emphasizes the importance of scientific research to detect and understand enteric viruses, including their persistence in agricultural environments and processing facilities.
Reducing foodborne illness requires a coordinated effort throughout the supply chain. The FDA’s strategy underscores the shared responsibility of regulators, industry and other stakeholders in ensuring the safety of fresh and frozen berries.
For more information, visit the FDA’s website here.
A summary of the FDA’s new prevention strategy is available here.