RKI researchers have detected hepatitis viruses in numerous types of liver sausage.
The consumer center now sounds the alarm.
Berlin - Liver sausage is an internationally popular specialty, but fans in Germany should now sit up and take notice: Food researchers at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) have recently found various types of hepatitis E viruses and are warning against their consumption.
Liver sausage: Hepatitis E viruses found in 70 percent of the varieties examined
On behalf of the rbb consumer magazine “SUPER.MARKT”, the researchers examined samples of different types of liver sausage. In some cases, they found significant levels of hepatitis E viruses. The RKI analyzed ten types of sausage from supermarkets, discounters and health food stores. The bitter news: the virus was detected in seven out of ten samples.
The manufacturers put the results of the investigation into perspective and refer to the safe production of the liver sausage by heating.
After the process, the viruses are still detectable, but there is no longer any danger from them.
Prof. Reimar Johne from the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) also stated in the television report that it is relatively easy to determine whether the virus is present in the food.
However, it is difficult to determine whether the pathogen is still infectious - which could then affect certain risk groups.
He refers to a problem in laboratory analysis.
Hepatitis E in liver sausage: consumer advice center sounds the alarm - "That's scary"
However, consumer protection sees it differently and does not rule out a residual risk.
The nutrition expert Britta Schautz from the consumer center in Berlin was appalled by the result of the RKI investigation.
"We know that the pollution has increased in recent years, but that so many samples really do contain viruses, that's really frightening," she told "SUPER.MARKT".
“Viruses have absolutely no business in food.
As a rule, they do not appear there either.
And that is exactly what manufacturers have to exclude by carefully checking their raw products and of course also ensuring that there are no viruses in the end product that could harm the consumer, ”explained Schautz.
Hepatitis E-Four has been detected in the following products:
“Delikatess Leberwurst” from Mühlenhof, bought from Penny
“Pfälzer Leberwurst” from Cornelius, bought from Edeka
“Liver sausage fine” from Hofmaier, bought from Netto
“Fine liver sausage” from Wiltmann, bought from real
“Liver sausage with veal” from Gut und Favorable, Edeka's house brand
“Fine liver sausage” from Gut Drei Eichen, bought from Aldi
“Pomeranian liver sausage” from Plüntsch, bought from denn's
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Liver sausage: Federal Institute for Risk Assessment advises risk groups not to use it
The hepatitis E virus is mainly transmitted through contaminated drinking water or contaminated food.
Among other things, the virus can lead to severe liver inflammation in humans.
The number of hepatitis E cases in Germany has been increasing for years.
"The background is that we know that this virus is very widespread, especially in domestic pigs and wild boars, and that one can become infected by eating food from these infected animals," explained Prof. Reimar Johne.
For this reason, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment advises: "Anyone who wants to be on the safe side and who belongs to a highly sensitive risk group should, in case of doubt, also refrain from consuming such liver sausage." (Md)
