Frozen berries alert
Foodstuffs
Foodstuffs is aware of the directive issued by the Ministry for
Primary Industries (MPI) Director General regarding a potential
risk associated with packaged imported frozen berries -
strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and
boysenberries.
It is our understanding that MPI has increased surveillance of
imported frozen berries, and are introducing a testing
regime.
MPI guidance for consumers is to apply good food safety hygiene
when consuming frozen berries including;
- Wash your hands before eating and preparing food
- Berries can briefly be boiled before eating
- Immunocompromised persons and those with liver damage should
avoid frozen berries or products containing frozen berries.
If consumers have any concern about their health or that of their
family then they should seek advice from their local medical
practitioner, or call the Ministry of Health's Healthline (0800 611
116).
Foodstuffs ensures that its berries are sourced from reputable
suppliers with efficient and comprehensive traceability systems and
effective food safety management systems in place which have been
accredited against recognised local and international standards. We
seek ongoing assurances from our suppliers around the effectiveness
of their food safety management systems by requesting annual audit
certification. The suppliers food safety management systems may
incorporate a micro analysis programme to validate the
effectiveness of their systems; Foodstuffs has not been informed of
any non-complying product or positive analysis results.
