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  1. Sampling to Protect the Food Supply

Microbiological Surveillance Sampling: FY 19-23 Frozen Berries (Strawberries, Raspberries and Blackberries)

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Frozen Berries Surveillance Sampling

Frozen berries are used as ingredients in many foods and, like other produce, can be an important part of a healthy diet. While frozen berries are used in pies and other baked goods, they are also used raw in fruit salads and smoothies. The majority of frozen berries eaten in the United States are consumed safely. However, the FDA reported three hepatitis A virus outbreaks (one attributed to frozen pomegranate arils) and one norovirus outbreak linked to the consumption of frozen berries in the United States from 1997 to 2016. These were the data reviewed by the FDA prior to the agency initiating its assignment in FY19. Since then, the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have also investigated an outbreak of hepatitis A involving frozen organic strawberries.

Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are delicate and may become contaminated with bacteria or viruses if handled by an infected worker who does not use appropriate hand hygiene, or if exposed to contaminated agricultural water or a contaminated surface, like a harvesting tote. Freezing preserves berries but generally does not kill viruses, which can survive at freezing temperatures.

Questions and Answers

The FDA is collecting samples Monday to Friday, during business hours.

Results as of 7/1/2023

The information that follows presents the laboratory results as of July 1, 2023 as interim figures subject to potential revision. The FDA may adjust the number of samples to be collected or the collection timeline based on factors that the agency may encounter during the assignment.

The FDA will publish a summary report of its results (to include final figures and breakdowns of its findings) once the assignment is complete. People who wish to see an example report on the FDA’s food product surveillance sampling can view any of the agency’s summary reports listed at the bottom of its microbiological surveillance sampling page.

In the event that samples are found to be positive for microbial hazards, the FDA will consider regulatory and enforcement options. Enforcement activities include actions to correct and prevent violations, and to remove violative food from the market.  The agency will detail any enforcement action it takes in its summary report.

The agency plans to collect and test 1,547 samples of frozen berries under this assignment. As of July 1, 2023, the agency had collected and tested 527 domestic samples and 995 import samples (1,522, or 98 percent of the total). The following figures summarize the interim sampling results. As the testing is still underway, no conclusions can be drawn at this time.

Results to date of the FDA’s collection and testing of domestic frozen berries: Of the 527 domestic samples collected and tested thus far, three were found to be positive for Hepatitis A virus and four were found to be positive for norovirus, based on the RT-qPCR test method.

Results to date of the FDA’s collection and testing of import frozen berries: Of the 995 import samples collected and tested thus far, six were found to be positive for hepatitis A virus and seven were found to be positive for norovirus, based on the RT-qPCR test method.


Additional Information

 
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