Boil yer berries, lads.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued a warning today that Irish consumers should be boiling imported frozen berries for “at least one minute” before consumption.
According to the FSAI, this precautionary measure will destroy any viruses if they are present and is particularly important when serving these foods to vulnerable people such as nursing home residents. Food-borne viruses can cause serious illness particularly in vulnerable people.
The warning follows an international issue that is affecting the entire “global imported frozen berry supply chain.” In an alert on their website, the FSAI has confirmed that food warnings have been issued about imported frozen berries throughout Europe this year.
The FSAI has also included a note for food businesses, instructing: “Food businesses using or selling imported frozen berries need to ensure that the berries they use are sourced from reputable suppliers operating effective food safety management systems and comprehensive traceability systems.”
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