Abstract
This study examines at the prevalence and spread of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) and norovirus GI/GII in local and imported food products in Greece over a five-year period (2019-2024). A total of two hundred sixty-six food samples were evaluated using obligatory inspections and virus detection procedures, including 202 for Hepatitis A and 64 for Norovirus. High-risk categories analyzed were vegetables [138 (HAV), 17 (NoV)], fruits [16 (HAV), 7 (NoV)], soft fruits/berries [37 (HAV), 31 (NoV)], processed meals [4 (HAV), 4 (NoV)], and animal-based products [1 (HAV), 5 (NoV)]. Viral RNA was isolated using QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit and detected using established RT-qPCR procedures that met ISO requirements for high sensitivity and reproducibility. The results demonstrated HAV contamination mostly in vegetables (4.35% positive rate), with sporadic findings in other categories. Norovirus GI/GII was detected primarily in soft fruits/berries, with a category-specific positive rate of 6.45%. A temporal study revealed that HAV peaks in 2020, while Norovirus contaminations were detected in 2021 and 2024. The findings highlight the important need to incorporate viral testing into routine food safety procedures, especially for high-risk product categories. This study establishes a basic framework for public health initiatives that address gaps in foodborne virus surveillance in Greece. The study's ramifications extend to global efforts to monitor and reduce foodborne virus contamination, pushing for higher regulatory requirements and targeted preventative actions.