Help available for flood-hit farmers
The chair of the Otago Rural Support Trust, Tom Pinckney, says he believes that they will be especially busy in the coming months as the enormity of the floods hit home.
The berries led to four people being hospitalised.
"Today we have directed a specific company to recall a brand of imported frozen berries from shelves," says MPI's director plants food and environment Peter Thomson.
"The company is FSL Foods, and the brand being recalled is Fruzio Mixed Berries sold in 1kg and 500 gram bags. This product contains blackberries and strawberries."
Thomson says if you have the product at home it should be discarded.
"Our investigation is ongoing and, at this stage, our advice concerning all imported frozen berries stays the same. We are not able to rule out further recalls."
"This is an evolving and complex situation and we were able to reach this conclusion today because of new genetic evidence about the virus and a continuing examination of the supply chain."
MPI still says anyone who is concerned should briefly boil any frozen berries before eating them, or ensure cooking exceeds 85°C for one minute.
"Elderly persons and those with chronic liver damage should avoid imported frozen berries that have not been heat treated." says Thomson.
