A huge recall of frozen fruits is currently happening across the US, with major retailers including Walmart, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s announcing the call back of select frozen fruit due to fears of contamination from both hepatitis A and listeria monocytogenes.
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With the recent recalls of frozen fruit due to contamination concerns, many consumers are wondering whether it’s safe to eat frozen fruit. In general, eating raw fruit — fresh or frozen — poses inherent risks because it hasn’t been cooked or heated, something that kills most foodborne pathogens.
“We don’t have any way to protect ourselves that is proven to be effective,” says Francisco Diez-Gonzalez, director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia. “The only step that fresh fruits and vegetables are subjected to is some washing, depending on the origin of the product.”
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During the past month, dozens of frozen fruit products have been recalled throughout the U.S. due to two separate contamination events. One was a potential listeria contamination involving pineapples and mangos. The other involved frozen organic strawberries related to an outbreak of hepatitis A that was first announced in March.
Possible sources of contamination
In the case of the contaminated frozen strawberries, Diez-Gonzalez theorizes that a farmworker, rather than environmental factors, was responsible. This is because hepatitis is not typically present in the environment.
“Generally, not many people are testing for the presence of hepatitis in food. It’s most likely because somebody got sick,” he says. Insurance
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When manufacturers can’t identify the exact boxes or fields affected by contamination, they choose to recall the entire production line as a precautionary measure to prevent more people from getting sick.
When it comes to a listeria contamination, figuring out the origin can be tricky. Listeria is a pathogen commonly found in nature, but it could also come from manufacturing equipment, making it harder to pinpoint the exact source, Diez-Gonzalez says. “The routes of potential transmission are much more diverse.”
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FAQ
Are frozen berries safe now?
Is eating frozen berries bad for you?
What is the frozen berries incident?
Why are frozen fruits being recalled?
Can berries be frozen?
Freezing doesn’t significantly diminish berries’ nutrition. In fact, berries are harvested for freezing when they’re at the peak of freshness, so you can enjoy them all year round. Frozen berry blends may come with various combinations of berries, including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cherries.
Can blueberries damage your health?
Blueberries have a pleasant, sweet taste. They are often eaten fresh but may also be frozen or juiced. They can be used in a variety of baked goods, jams, and jellies, as well as for flavorings. A half-cup serving of blueberries contains 42 calories, 1 gram protein, 11 grams carbohydrates, and 2 grams fiber. Moreover, blueberries are rich in antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds, including anthocyanins, quercetins, and myricetins. Blueberries will not damage your health, in contrary it may decrease your risk of heart disease, boost brain health, lower blood sugar levels, and improve insulin sensitivity.
Why are frozen fruits recalled?
The frozen fruits recalled in these cases were due to hepatitis A, which is a virus, and Listeria Monocytogenes, which is a bacterium. Hepatitis A tends to be found in contaminated water supplies, so it’s likely the water used to grow those fruits isn’t treated or monitored properly.
Are frozen berries healthy?
Fruits that contain seeds often have trace amounts of fat, which is why you’ll find 0.5 grams of fat in 1 cup of frozen berries. But 0.5 grams is a minimal amount of fat and not likely to make a significant impact on your diet. Berries don’t contain much protein, either. One cup only provides 1 gram. Frozen berries are bursting with micronutrients.