Remember to boil those berries!
Summary
Former FSAI CEO Alan Riley discusses a warning to boil imported frozen berries for one minute to kill hepatitis A and norovirus, which survive the freezing process. He explains that contamination typically occurs during harvesting due to poor hygiene or infected water, noting that fresh Irish berries remain safe. The episode also highlights traceability issues with mixed berries sourced from multiple countries, advising consumers to boil or refreeze berries to ensure safety.
Topics discussed
Intro: Frozen berries and the FSAI warning
Guest introduction and the need to boil berries
Hepatitis A and norovirus risks in imported berries
Host reaction and why freezing doesn't kill viruses
Fresh vs. frozen berries and cost considerations
How contamination occurs during harvesting
Proper boiling instructions and microwave safety
Refreezing boiled berries and safety of Irish berries
Traceability issues and recent international recalls
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