The European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) has issued a serious health warning after German authorities detected Hepatitis A virus in a frozen berry mix imported from Serbia.
The contamination was discovered during a routine official market control on a sample taken on April 20, 2026. Following the discovery, the risk level was classified as “serious,” leading to an immediate recall of the product from consumers.
Recurrence of Contamination
This is not an isolated incident for Serbian berry exports. According to RASFF historical data, the same virus was detected in Serbian berries on multiple occasions:
- July 10, 2025: Hepatitis A was found in frozen berries in Germany.
- August 2022: A frozen fruit product in Belgium contained the virus, with Serbia listed as one of the four countries of origin.
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that causes acute inflammation of the liver, commonly known as infectious jaundice. According to the Serbian Institute of Public Health “Dr. Milan Jovanović Batut,” the primary characteristics include:
- Transmission: Primarily through the “fecal-oral route”—direct contact with infected persons or indirect contact through contaminated water and food (especially uncooked items like frozen fruits or salads).
- Symptoms: Sudden fever, headache, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. This is followed by dark urine, light-colored stools, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
- Incubation: 15 to 50 days (average of 30 days). An infected person is most contagious during the second half of the incubation period, before jaundice even appears.
Health Risks and Prevention
While Hepatitis A is generally considered a mild to moderate illness with a low mortality rate (less than 1 in 1,000), it can lead to severe complications in:
- Children under five years old.
- Adults over 50.
- Pregnant women.
Key Preventive Measures:
- Hygiene: Consistent handwashing with soap and safe water is the most effective defense.
- Food Safety: Ensuring that fruit and vegetables are thoroughly washed or thermally processed (cooked) kills the virus.
- Vaccination: A vaccine is available and provides long-term immunity.
Impact on Trade
The recurring presence of pathogens in Serbian agricultural exports poses a significant threat to the country’s reputation as a “berry powerhouse” in Europe. Serbian authorities are under increasing pressure from EU regulators to tighten sanitary controls at processing and freezing facilities to prevent secondary contamination during the packaging process.
