# AI tells a user that frozen berries are safe to eat raw after thawing if they are rinsed with cold water, ignoring the risk of norovirus and hepatitis A

- **ID:** `food-safety/improper-thawing-of-frozen-berries`
- **Domain:** food-safety
- **Category:** health_risk
- **Error Code:** `FS-VIRAL-003`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 82%

## Root Cause

Freezing does not kill norovirus or hepatitis A virus; these viruses can survive months at -20°C and are not removed by rinsing, requiring heating to 90°C for 2 minutes for inactivation.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| FSIS-2023-004 | active | — | — |
| FDA-2024-FrozenBerry | active | — | — |
| EFSA-2023-NoroBerry | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Cook frozen berries to an internal temperature of 90°C for at least 2 minutes, e.g., in a microwave-safe bowl on high for 3 minutes, stirring halfway.** (95% success)
   ```
   Cook frozen berries to an internal temperature of 90°C for at least 2 minutes, e.g., in a microwave-safe bowl on high for 3 minutes, stirring halfway.
   ```
2. **Use frozen berries only in cooked dishes like pies, jams, or sauces where they reach boiling temperature.** (98% success)
   ```
   Use frozen berries only in cooked dishes like pies, jams, or sauces where they reach boiling temperature.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Rinsing with cold water only removes surface dirt, not viruses embedded in pores or crevices. (95% fail)
- **** — Soaking in vinegar or lemon juice may reduce some bacteria but has no effect on norovirus or hepatitis A. (90% fail)
- **** — Blanching briefly (30 seconds) does not reach internal temperature needed to inactivate viruses. (85% fail)