Alarm in Italy: Risk of Hepatitis A from Fruit
Hepatitis A, an infectious viral disease affecting the liver, is causing alarm in Italy as several companies have been recalled due to the presence of the virus in their fruit products. The HAV virus, spread mainly through contaminated water or food, can cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and jaundice.
The European Early Warning System (RASFF) recalled a batch of raspberries from Poland in 2017, highlighting the international scale of the problem. In 2013, a strain of the hepatitis A virus from Poland caused an epidemic in Italy, sending 1,300 people to the hospital.
Now, berries are back in the spotlight with companies like Versilfood recalling batches of mixed forest and frozen berries due to possible contamination with Norovirus GI, GII, and hepatitis A. The contamination of berries is often due to poor quality water used for irrigation and agricultural practices that do not meet hygiene standards.
The Ministry of Health recommends cooking berries for at least 2 minutes to eliminate any pathogens present and verifying the sources of supply for safe agricultural practices. It’s important for consumers to be cautious about what they purchase and to stay informed to avoid harmful products. Hepatitis A is a serious risk, but with prevention and awareness, it can be avoided.