Hundreds of hepatitis A infections will be tied to blueberries in Albert Heijn recall
Several hundred people could have already become infected with the hepatitis A virus as a result of contaminated frozen blueberries sold by Albert Heijn, a spokesperson for Dutch public health institute RIVM confirmed to NL Times. Already 12 people have been diagnosed with the infection dating back to November, including two people who were hospitalized with serious symptoms. The infected patients range from 25 to 77 years of age, the RIVM informed media outlet NOS.
The contaminated blueberries, sold in one-kilogram bags under the supermarket's house brand, were available in stores until Monday. The affected products have a "best before" date of April 14, 2026. They can be returned to any Albert Heijn shop for a full refund.
The RIVM expects to learn of more infections as it can take two weeks for symptoms to develop in an infected person, the RIVM spokesperson said. “It does not mean every case will be serious,” he said. Anyone experiencing symptoms of hepatitis A, such as fatigue, nausea, jaundice, or abdominal pain, should contact their doctor, the store noted in its recall. Symptoms are often mild, but the infectious disease can cause liver inflammation in adults, particularly those with weakened immune systems.
The virus “probably got into the blueberries during the harvest,” another RIVM representative told Nu.nl. “It’s possible that an infected berry picker didn’t wash his or her hands properly after visiting the toilet.” The virus can be passed from humans through contact with the feces of an infected person. “With poor hygiene, there is a chance that an infected person will transmit the virus to the berries.” Washing the berries is unlikely to help, as the virus can firmly remain on the fruit.
The first reported hepatitis A case tied to the outbreak occurred in late November, according to public health service GGD. Subsequent cases led the RIVM to launch an investigation. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) tested the blueberries and confirmed the presence of hepatitis A.
The contaminated blueberries originated from a Polish manufacturer, and the RIVM emphasized that poor hygiene during the food production process was likely the cause of the outbreak. Albert Heijn clarified that the issue is limited to the one-kilogram frozen bags. Other products, such as frozen blueberries in paper boxes or mixed red fruit bags, are sourced from a different supplier and are not affected.
Albert Heijn is advising customers not to consume the affected blueberries, even after washing them. Shoppers can return the product to any store for a full refund.
While hepatitis A outbreaks of this scale are not unprecedented, the RIVM noted they occur roughly once per year in the Netherlands. The organization has launched a broader investigation to determine the extent of the current outbreak.
