The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat, sell, or serve certain brands of frozen organic strawberries after five people have been infected with hepatitis A after eating them.[0] Two individuals have been admitted to the hospital.[1] The two suppliers involved in the recall are California Splendor of San Diego, California, and Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon.
The hepatitis A virus is the cause of a contagious liver disease known as hepatitis A.[2] Typically, symptoms will appear 15 to 20 days after consuming food or water that has been contaminated; such symptoms are fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine, and light-colored stool.[2] In young children under 6 years old, certain infections may not produce any signs or symptoms.[3]
The recalled strawberries have “best by” dates that range from April to November 2024.[3] The FDA’s website provides a comprehensive list of the strawberries that have been recalled.[3]
The recalled items include Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend Pineapple, Bananas, Strawberries & Mango; Vital Choice Organic Strawberries; Made With Organic Strawberries; and Simply Nature Organic Strawberries.[4] They were sold at Trader Joe’s, Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood and PCC Community Markets in certain states and at Trader Joe’s nationwide.[5]
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), five people in Washington have been sickened with hepatitis A linked to frozen organic strawberries sold in stores like Costco and PCC Community Markets.[1] Two individuals have been admitted to the hospital.[1]
[5] Customers are urged to destroy or return the recalled items for a full refund.[6]
If you have consumed the recently recalled strawberries within the last fortnight and are not vaccinated against hepatitis A, please inform your health care provider about post-exposure prophylaxis, which can provide protection from the illness in the 14-day period after exposure.[7]
0. “Frozen strawberries sold Costco Trader Joes Aldi recalled HEPATITIS A infections in Washington state” Daily Mail, 19 Mar. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11877119/Frozen-strawberries-sold-Costco-Trader-Joes-Aldi-recalled-HEPATITIS-infections-Washington-state.html
1. “Frozen organic strawberries sold in WA recalled after hepatitis A outbreak” The Seattle Times, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/frozen-organic-strawberries-sold-in-wa-recalled-after-hepatitis-a-outbreak
2. “Frozen organic strawberries recalled over possible link to hepatitis A outbreak” WPVI-TV, 18 Mar. 2023, https://6abc.com/frozen-organic-strawberries-recalled-over-possible-link-to-hepatiti/12974470
3. “Frozen strawberries sold at Costco, Trader Joe’s and Aldi recalled after hepatitis A infections” ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.abc15.com/news/national/frozen-strawberries-sold-at-costco-trader-joes-and-aldi-recalled-after-hepatitis-a-infections
4. “Strawberries, fruit sold at Trader Joe’s recalled for Hepatitis A link” USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/03/18/strawberries-recall-hepatitis-trader-joes-costco/11498476002
5. “Frozen fruit recalled at Costco, Trader Joe’s due to hepatitis A risk” NBC News, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/frozen-fruit-recalled-costco-trader-joes-hepatitis-rcna75520
6. “Frozen fruit sold at Trader Joe’s, other stores recalled over risk of Hepatitis A contamination” FOX 32 Chicago, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/frozen-fruit-sold-at-trader-joes-other-stores-recalled-over-risk-of-hepatitis-a-contamination
7. “Frozen Strawberries Recalled Due to Hepatitis A Risk” CNET, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.cnet.com/health/frozen-strawberries-recalled-due-to-hepatitis-a-risk/