Mexico and the US investigate an outbreak of hepatitis in blueberries, strawberries and blackberries

Mexico is collaborating with US health authorities in an investigation into the outbreak of Hepatitis A in berries registered in three states on the west coast of that country. Since 2022, when the first outbreak occurred, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader) and the National Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality Service (Senasica) took samples from various berry companies (including blueberries, red cranberries, strawberry, raspberry, currant and blackberry) in Baja California. "To date, no scientific evidence has been found to confirm the presence of hepatitis A in state production units," Sader said. According to research, outbreaks of type A hepatitis in the United States "have their origin in frozen strawberries." And although these types of products are not the responsibility of Senasica, to offer greater guarantees to consumers and business partners, the agency urged producers, packers, collectors and marketers of fresh vegetables in Mexico to implement ...