NOS News•today, 1:36 p.m.•Modified today, 2:23 p.m.
Twelve people contracted hepatitis A after eating frozen blueberries from Albert Heijn, reports the RIVM. Of these twelve cases, the infection was so severe in two cases that hospitalization was necessary. The institute takes into account hundreds of infections.
Hepatitis A is an infectious disease for which notification is mandatory. The GGD reports that the first patient arrived at the end of November, after which cases increased. The bags were still sold until yesterday. The RIVM opened an investigation in which blueberries were highlighted. The hepatitis A contamination was discovered after sample collection by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Safety Authority (NVWA).
The twelve patients are aged between 25 and 77 years old. “These are only serious cases for which patients have consulted a doctor,” specifies a spokesperson for the RIVM.
In general, the disease has a benign course, which is why the institute suspects multiple infections. The disease can lead to liver inflammation in adults. According to the spokesperson, people with reduced resistance are mainly at risk of serious infection.
According to the RIVM, an outbreak of this magnitude is not entirely unique, but occurs on average once a year.
Rappel
Yesterday it was announced that Albert Heijn had issued a safety warning for its own brand of frozen blueberry bags due to hepatitis A contamination. The supermarket is recalling the products.
These are one kilo bags with an expiration date of April 14, 2026, but as a precaution Albert Heijn has removed all one kilo bags from the shelves. The company advises consumers not to eat these berries. Customers can return the bags to the store and receive a refund.
Customers who experience symptoms are advised to consult their doctor.
Bad hygiene
The contaminated blueberries come from a Polish manufacturer, specifies Albert Heijn. According to the RIVM, the outbreak is probably due to a lack of hygiene in the packaging process.
Hepatitis A is a disease that only affects humans. According to the RIVM, the infection is only transmitted from person to person, through stool. “The virus could have spread through contaminated irrigation water, but it is more likely that a berry picker did not wash his hands properly after using the toilet,” the spokesperson said. RIVM. Otherwise, he said, the epidemic would have been larger.
According to AH, this only concerns bags of frozen kilos; Paper boxes of frozen blueberries and bags of mixed berries are not at risk because they come from a different supplier.
