Key result
The prevalence of foodborne viruses in Canadian cranberries and wild blueberries was low, with only 3 of 234 cranberry samples positive for HuNoV GI and 0 of 150 blueberry samples positive for HEV.
Why the study?
Foodborne viruses can transmit via contaminated water or animal feces, putting cranberries and ground-growing blueberries at potential risk.
Cross-Sectional (n=384)
The prevalence of foodborne viruses in ready-to-eat cranberries and wild blueberries harvested in Canada is very low, suggesting these products are safe for consumers.
May support low viral risk for consumers of these berries; leaves open broader surveillance across regions and seasons.
It is known that the transmission of different foodborne viruses can occur either via discharge of contaminated water close to the production environment or via close contact with animal feces. Cranberries are intimately associated with water throughout their production cycle, and blueberries grow close to the ground which could lead to contact with wildlife. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of human norovirus (HuNoV GI and GII), hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) in two berries produced commercially in Canada. The detection of HuNoV and HAV on RTE cranberries and of HEV on wild blueberries was evaluated using the ISO method 15216-1:2017. Only 3 of 234 cranberry samples tested positive for HuNoV GI (3.6, 7.4, 5.3 genome copies/g, respectively) and all were negative for HuNoV GII and HAV. PMA pre-treatment and sequencing confirmed the absence of potential intact HuNoV GI particles on cranberries. None of the 150 blueberry samples tested positive for HEV. Overall, the prevalence of foodborne viruses in RTE cranberries and wild blueberries harvested in Canada is low, making these products relatively safe for consumers.
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Chatonnat et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Foodborne virus contamination (n=384). RTE cranberries and wild blueberries was evaluated on Prevalence of human norovirus (HuNoV GI and GII), hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV). The prevalence of foodborne viruses in Canadian cranberries and wild blueberries was low, with only 3 of 234 cranberry samples positive for HuNoV GI and 0 of 150 blueberry samples positive for HEV.
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