Lidl expands recall of frozen berry mix due to suspected norovirus contamination

As the company announced, contamination with noroviruses cannot be ruled out. "Es kann nicht ausgeschlossen werden, dass in dem betroffenen Produkt Noroviren enthalten sind", Lidl Austria stated over the weekend. Noroviruses can trigger vomiting, diarrhea and severe gastrointestinal complaints, which can become particularly dangerous for children, elderly people and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The updated recall affects packs with the best-before dates 22.02.2028, 23.02.2028, 02.03.2028, 14.04.2028, 17.04.2028 and 18.04.2028. For the best-before dates 22.02.2028 and 23.02.2028, these are the batches L220226P3, L220226G3, L220226Z3, L220226D3 and L230226D3. For the date 02.03.2028, the batches L030326Z3, L030326H3 and L030326W3 have been added.

Affected best-before dates and batches

For the best-before date 14.04.2028, batch L150426P3 applies. The batches originally recalled also remain part of the warning: for the best-before date 17.04.2028 these are L180426H3 and L180426L3, for the date 18.04.2028 the batches L190426L3 and L190426N3. The recall thus covers a total of 13 different batches.

Retail reacted swiftly. Lidl Austria advised customers not to consume the product under any circumstances due to the possible health risk. "Der Kaufpreis wird selbstverständlich erstattet, auch ohne Vorlage des Kassenbons", the company announced. This means consumers can return the goods even if the receipt has been lost.

Return possible without receipt

For inquiries, Lidl Austria's customer service is available at the toll-free telephone number 0800/500 810 from Monday to Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The manufacturer and retailer ask that affected packs not be opened or consumed, but instead be returned to the stores or disposed of otherwise.

A report from July, which had initially only applied to individual federal states in Austria, now applies far more broadly. The product under the Freshona brand is manufactured by Jütro Tiefkühlkost GmbH & Co. KG. Other products under the Freshona brand as well as other items from the manufacturer are not affected by the recall, according to the company.

Background: What noroviruses are

Consumer advocates generally advise thawing frozen berries before consumption and washing or heating them thoroughly to kill germs. Noroviruses are highly contagious and are frequently transmitted through contaminated food, contaminated water or from person to person. Symptoms can typically be expected within about 12 to 48 hours after infection.

For most adults, a norovirus illness subsides after a few days, but can have serious consequences due to fluid loss. If diarrhea, vomiting or signs of dehydration persist, a doctor should be consulted. Small children and elderly people in particular may require medical assistance to balance their fluid levels.

The warning applies exclusively to the specified best-before dates and batches of the "Bio Beerenmischung erntefrisch tiefgefroren" in the 300-gram pack. Consumers should check the information on the packaging and, if in doubt, not consume the products. According to Lidl and Jütro Tiefkühlkost, there is currently no general warning regarding frozen berries from other manufacturers or with other best-before dates.

Procedure in case of suspected illness

The manufacturer Jütro Tiefkühlkost is a German company based in Jessen in eastern Saxony-Anhalt. The company produces frozen foods, among other things, and supplies various retail chains in Germany, Austria and other European countries. The products are marketed under the retailers' own brands, which is why the same product may appear on the shelves at different discounters under different names.

Lidl stressed that the safety of its customers is the top priority. The company is working closely with the manufacturer and the responsible food authorities to clarify the incident and minimize potential health risks. Further investigations are to determine how the possible contamination could have occurred.

Consumers can return affected packs at any Lidl store. In addition to refunding the purchase price without a receipt, Lidl also offers to answer questions via the stated service hotline. The hotline is available on weekdays from Monday to Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Food recalls as a precautionary measure

This case is part of a series of food recalls in recent years in which germs such as Listeria, Salmonella or noroviruses have been found in various products. Such recalls are generally carried out as a precaution as soon as there is a suspicion that a product may be contaminated. Cooperation between manufacturers, retailers and authorities has proven effective in such cases to quickly limit risks to the population.

Anyone who has an already opened pack of the affected batch should no longer use it. Leftovers and packaging can be disposed of via household waste; no separate disposal route is required. Anyone who develops symptoms after consuming the product should seek medical advice immediately and point out the possible connection to the food.

In conclusion, both the manufacturer and the retailer emphasize that the precautionary recall serves to protect consumers. The expansion of the recall shows that new findings are consistently taken into account to ensure the safety of customers.