# AI tells an immunocompromised user that frozen berries are safe to eat raw because freezing kills pathogens, ignoring the risk of Hepatitis A and Norovirus that survive freezing

- **ID:** `food-safety/frozen-berries-hepatitis`
- **Domain:** food-safety
- **Category:** health_risk
- **Error Code:** `FS-BERRY-007`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 79%

## Root Cause

Freezing does not kill viruses like Hepatitis A and Norovirus; these viruses can survive for months at -20°C and cause severe illness in immunocompromised individuals; outbreaks linked to frozen berries are well-documented

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| model | active | — | — |
| platform | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Advise immunocompromised users to cook frozen berries to at least 185°F (85°C) for 1 minute to inactivate Hepatitis A and Norovirus. Use in cooked applications like compote, jam, or baked goods.** (90% success)
   ```
   Advise immunocompromised users to cook frozen berries to at least 185°F (85°C) for 1 minute to inactivate Hepatitis A and Norovirus. Use in cooked applications like compote, jam, or baked goods.
   ```
2. **Provide alternative: use pasteurized frozen berries (look for label indicating heat treatment) or buy berries that are individually quick-frozen (IQF) with known source, but still recommend cooking for immunocompromised.** (80% success)
   ```
   Provide alternative: use pasteurized frozen berries (look for label indicating heat treatment) or buy berries that are individually quick-frozen (IQF) with known source, but still recommend cooking for immunocompromised.
   ```
3. **If user must eat raw, recommend using berries from countries with low Hepatitis A prevalence (e.g., Canada, Northern Europe) and check for recall history, but still warn that risk remains.** (60% success)
   ```
   If user must eat raw, recommend using berries from countries with low Hepatitis A prevalence (e.g., Canada, Northern Europe) and check for recall history, but still warn that risk remains.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Tell user to rinse frozen berries with water before eating** — Rinsing does not remove viruses that are embedded in berry surface or under skin; Hepatitis A is highly resistant to washing (95% fail)
- **Suggest buying organic frozen berries** — Organic certification does not guarantee virus-free; Hepatitis A outbreaks have been traced to organic frozen berries (90% fail)
- **Recommend soaking berries in vinegar solution** — Vinegar may reduce some bacteria but does not inactivate Hepatitis A or Norovirus at household concentrations (85% fail)