Frozen berries are convenient for smoothies, yogurt and desserts. However, freezing does not automatically inactivate possible pathogens. Especially for uncooked dishes, simply thawing is therefore not sufficient. With a short kitchen routine you can prepare unaffected berries more safely.
Current recall: Check package and batch
AGES is currently notifying about a recall of the “Freshona Bio Beerenmischung erntefrisch tiefgefroren, 300 g”. Affected are packages with the best-before dates 17.04.2028 and 18.04.2028 as well as the batches L180426H3, L180426L3, L190426L3 and L190426N3. The reason given is possible noroviruses.
For an affected package, the following applies: do not open, do not eat and do not try to save it by cooking. According to the recall, the product can be returned to any Lidl store, even without a receipt. Our guide shows how to systematically compare product, batch and best-before date Food recall: check the batch and respond appropriately.
Why freezing and thawing are not enough
Berries can come into contact with viruses during cultivation, harvest or processing. Cold does stop many changes in food, but it is not a reliable method to inactivate noroviruses. Smell and appearance also do not reveal such contamination.
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommends heating frozen berries evenly and thoroughly before consumption. As a guideline it mentions about 90 degrees Celsius. Briefly bringing large quantities to a boil or uneven heating in the microwave can lead to cold spots.
How to heat frozen berries correctly
- Take out only an appropriate portion. Immediately reseal the remaining package and put it back in the freezer.
- Put the berries directly into a pot. If necessary, add a little water so nothing sticks at the beginning.
- Heat slowly while stirring. The berries in the center must also get hot. About 90 degrees Celsius should be reached everywhere.
- Continue processing hygienically. For compote or sauce the berries can be used immediately. For cold dishes, transfer to a clean, shallow container, cool quickly and keep in the refrigerator until use.
Smoothie, yogurt and dessert: safe options
- Smoothie: Heat the berries first and let them cool completely, then mix with yogurt, milk or banana. Hot liquid should only be put into blenders suitable for it.
- Overnight oats: Let the cooked berry sauce cool and only then stir it into the oats.
- Yogurt or quark cream: Use a cooled compote instead of stirring frozen berries in raw.
- Cake: Make sure that the berries are sufficiently heated throughout the pastry; very thick or only briefly baked preparations are less reliable for this.
Different storage rules apply to fresh raspberries and blackberries. Our article on that fits here Washing and storing berries correctly.
Don't forget kitchen hygiene
Wash hands before and after preparation, clean work surfaces and cooking utensils, and do not touch cooked berries again with the spoon from the raw product. Extra care should be taken for infants, small children, pregnant women, older or ill people.
What to do in case of symptoms?
A norovirus infection often starts suddenly with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. It is important to replace lost fluids. In case of high fever, clear signs of dehydration or lack of improvement after two days, the health portal recommends seeking medical advice. Infants, children, older people and people with pre-existing conditions should be monitored particularly closely. Health advice in Austria is available at 1450.
Sources and further information
- AGES: Recall of the Freshona Bio Beerenmischung
- BfR: Noroviruses – Recognize and avoid sources of infection
- BfR: Heat food evenly
- Austrian Health Portal: Norovirus gastroenteritis
Article image: AI-generated symbolic image (gpt-image-2).
