Another nine cases of hepatitis A have been detected with links to frozen berries, prompting a recall of half a dozen products from the Pams brand.
Pams – a New Zealand division of supermarket giant Foodstuffs – is recalling various frozen berry products as a precaution, over a possible link to recent cases of the contagious virus.
Of the 12 cases found so far, seven have been hospitalised, including young, fit teenagers – not typically deemed at high risk from the illness, New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said.
The investigation into the source continues. Until, and unless, a definitive source is identified, the advice to heat-treat remains in place for all frozen berry products – regardless of brand, officials warned.
FoodWorld 