As of: March 25, 2024, 6:28 p.m
By: Kilian Bäuml, Julia Hanigk
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A pathogen was discovered in strawberries from Morocco.
A “serious risk” that threatens consumer health.
Munich – The first sunny days of the year make many people look forward to the first strawberries of the season.
But caution is advised, especially with the early ripening berries that are imported from abroad and therefore have long transport routes.
However, imported strawberries are currently becoming the focus of attention for another reason.
A pathogen posing a “serious risk” was discovered on its way into European trade.
Hepatitis A found on strawberries from Morocco
The strawberries in question come from Morocco.
The EU portal RASFF (Rapid Alert System Feed and Food) warns in a message about the “presence of hepatitis A in strawberries from Morocco”.
The pathogens were detected in fruits that were delivered to Spain.
The maximum permissible value was significantly exceeded, making it “a danger to public health”.
As the portal
mallorca-services.es
reports, among other things, the pathogens could have gotten onto the strawberries through irrigation with fecal water.
Last year, strawberries were suspected as a possible cause of a hepatitis outbreak.
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by viruses.
While it is usually mild in children, adults are often more seriously ill.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and occasionally an elevated temperature.
Infection can also cause jaundice, discolored stools, and itching.
The symptoms last from several days to a few weeks.
People with previous illnesses, especially of the liver, are particularly at risk.
For these, STIKO recommends vaccination.
Source:
infection protection.de
“Health at stake” – imported strawberries are criticized
Regarding the contaminated Moroccan strawberries, the organization called for an urgent explanation from the Moroccan government.
It should also state “what measures it intends to take to prevent such situations from happening again.”
According to the report, controls in third countries may need to be expanded “as consumer health is at stake.”
In Germany, discounters have already come under fire for importing strawberries.
Health-threatening pathogens have been found on strawberries.
(Symbolic image) © ANUCHA/Cavan Images/IMAGO
Contaminated strawberries did not come onto the German market
However, consumers in Germany do not have to worry at the moment.
“According to the Spanish authorities, the Moroccan strawberries in question that were contaminated with the hepatitis A virus did not reach the European market,” said a spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection in North Rhine-Westphalia when asked by the Der Westen
portal
.
Nevertheless, caution is advised, even if the strawberries contaminated with hepatitis are not sold in Germany.
German strawberries are often contaminated with pesticides, which can also be harmful to health.
For some, the best solution may be to grow your own strawberries.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at his own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.