RIVM's latest news on Hepatitis A in blueberries

Albert Heijn issued a recall on 13 January 2025 for blueberries that may have been contaminated with hepatitis A. Eating the berries could cause health problems. The affected product is the 1 kg bag of frozen blueberries, listed as"AH Zakje met blauwe bessen 1 kg (diepvries)", with a use-by date of 14-04-2026 and earlier dates. To prevent hepatitis A, it is advisable not to eat these blueberries.

Although the risk is low, it is possible for people who have eaten the berries to become ill from the virus. The warning only applies to that specific 1 kg package size of frozen blueberries from the Albert Heijn supermarket with the stated use-by date, not to any other berries or frozen fruit.

When to call the doctor

Contact your GP if the following situations apply:

  • You have eaten the AH frozen blueberries with a use-by date of 14-4-2026, AND
  • You develop symptoms that could indicate hepatitis A, such as severe fatigue, fever, stomach complaints or jaundice.

If that happens, call the GP and say that you ate those specific berries and when you ate them.

The hepatitis A virus survives freezing temperatures for long enough to expose people to a possible infection.

12 reported cases

RIVM has received reports of patients with hepatitis A from Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) in the south and southwest of the Netherlands. The patients became ill between 26 November and 22 December 2024. 12 reported cases are currently known to RIVM. It is possible that more people had an infection without noticing it, or only had mild symptoms. Two patients were admitted to hospital.

After the cases were reported, the relevant GGDs worked with RIVM and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) to investigate the possible source of the exposures. Surveys showed that frozen blueberries were the likely source. Laboratory testing revealed on 13 January 2025 that the virus was, in fact, present in the berries.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. This viral infection can be so mild that it is unnoticed. People who do become ill generally feel tired and have a low-grade fever, sometimes accompanied by pain in the upper abdomen and nausea. The average time between exposure and illness is 28 days. Children under 5 years old do not usually have any symptoms.

Vaccination and protection

If you have had hepatitis A before, you have lifelong protection against the disease. You are also protected against the virus if you have been vaccinated twice against hepatitis A, for example before travelling abroad. If you get the virus now and become ill, there is no point in getting vaccinated after the fact. Also, you do not need to get vaccinated now if you have eaten those specific blueberries and are not ill. The risk of illness is relatively low.