After eating frozen blueberries Albert Heijn later recalled, several people have become infected with hepatitis A. The Dutch public health institute (RIVM) has reported that twelve people have fallen ill with an infection from the blueberries so far.
Albert Heijn recalls 1-kilogram bags of frozen blueberries
Earlier this week, Albert Heijn (AH) released a safety warning for the supermarket’s brand of frozen blueberries that come in a 1-kilogram bag. The Dutch supermarket urged customers not to eat any of the products with the expiration date of April 14, 2026, as they could be contaminated with hepatitis A.
AH has also removed all kilo bags from the shelves as a precautionary measure. Customers can return any of the mentioned products to the store to receive a refund, and anyone experiencing symptoms is advised to consult with their doctor.
According to RIVM, symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and jaundice. The symptoms are usually quite mild and typically appear two to six weeks after infection.
12 people infected with hepatitis A from AH blueberries
RIVM has been notified of 12 cases where people have become infected with hepatitis A after eating the contaminated blueberries. Of those 12, two people who had serious infections were taken to hospital. Hundreds of infections are expected by the health institute in the coming weeks.
The organisation believes the outbreak, originating from a manufacturer in Poland, was probably caused by poor hygiene practices. "The virus could have been spread by contaminated irrigation water, but it is more likely that a berry picker did not wash his hands properly after a toilet visit," an RIVM spokesperson told NOS.