Hepatitis scare: More Fruzio frozen berries recalled

The Ministry of Primary Industries has asked anyone who has bought Fruzio brand mixed berries to throw them out.

The company involved in a Hepatitis A scare has announced it is recalling all of its frozen berry products.

FSL Foods said it would extend the scope of its recall, as other products are from the same source as the frozen mixed berries recalled by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

In addition to its Fruzio Mixed Berry 1kg and 500g products, which contain strawberries and blackberries, FSL Foods said it was also recalling Fruzio IQF Strawberry 1kg, Fruzio IQF Blackberry 1kg and Fruzio IQF 3 Mixed Berry 1kg (blackberries, strawberries and blueberries).

"MPI's investigation is still ongoing, and we are not able to rule out further recalls," says the ministry's director of plants, food and environment, Peter Thomson.

He said if people had any of the recalled products at home, they should be discarded.

The ministry has advised anyone concerned about possible contamination to briefly boil any imported frozen berries before eating them, or ensure cooking exceeds 85C for one minute.

The elderly and those with liver problems should avoid imported frozen berries that had not been heat treated, Mr Thomson said.

"We would like to again thank FSL Foods for their full co-operation in this recall," he said.

"The precaution they are exercising in voluntarily expanding the scope of the recall is acknowledged by MPI."

Anyone concerned about health risks could seek advice from health practitioners or contact the Ministry of Health's Healthline on 0800-61-11-16.For concerns about food safety, the public can contact the MPI consumer helpline on 0800-00-83-33.