- Frozen organic strawberries have been recalled for a possible link to an outbreak of hepatitis A.
- The now recalled strawberries were sold under various brand names at stores including Aldi and Costco, and in a tropical fruit mix at Trader Joe’s.
- Hepatitis A was not detected on the products, but the company and the FDA are warning consumers who have strawberries in their freezer not to eat them.
It’s time to check your freezer again.
Frozen organic strawberries sold in Aldi and Costco stores, and in the tropics mix of fruits sold in Trader Joe’s stores nationwide, have been recalled for a possible link to an outbreak of hepatitis A.
Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon is recalling frozen strawberries sold under various brand names in 18 states at Aldi, Costco, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood and PCC Community Markets. Trader Joe’s The recalled organic tropical fruit mix was sold in the United States
The company has ceased production and distribution of the products as the Food and Drug Administration and the company investigate, according to the FDA.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, five cases of hepatitis A associated with an outbreak have been reported in Washington since March 13. All of these people reported eating frozen organic strawberries.
These illnesses began on dates ranging from November 24, 2022 to December 17, 2022. No deaths have been reported., but two people were hospitalized, according to the CDC.
The affected strawberries have best use dates of April 25, 2024 through November 20, 2024. Hepatitis A has not been detected on the products, but the company and the FDA suggest consumers who may have them in their freezer not to not eat them and return it to their local store for a refund.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are recalling frozen organic strawberries that we received from our supplier,” Maridean Eisele, owner and president of Scenic Fruit Company, said in a statement sent to USA TODAY. “This decision comes after our supplier initiated the recall due to a possible link to frozen organic strawberries contaminated with the hepatitis A virus.”
What else is under recall? Consult USA TODAY’s searchable recall database; cars, food, consumer goods and more.
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Investigation of the 2022 hepatitis A outbreak
The recall is an extension of an investigation started in February by the CDC and FDA into an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to frozen organic strawberries imported by a joint supplier from certain farms in Baja California, Mexico.
At this time, California Splendor of San Diego, Calif., voluntarily recalled certain lots of 4-pound bags of Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries sold at Costco stores in Los Angeles and Hawaii, and at two business centers from San Diego.
During the investigation, the FDA found that the strain of hepatitis A virus currently causing disease is genetically identical to the strain that caused an outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections in 2022. Frozen strawberries imported in 2022 are the likely source of this current hepatitis A outbreak, the CDC said.
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver infection, according to the CDC. It is a contagious disease whose symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, stomach pain and jaundice, can last up to two months. In rare cases, hepatitis A can lead to liver failure and death, the FDA said.
If you have eaten any of the recalled strawberries within the past 14 days and are not vaccinated for hepatitis A, the CDC recommends contacting your local health department or healthcare provider for a possible vaccine or other treatment to help prevent illness.
Recall of organic strawberry and tropical fruit mix
The following products are subject to this recall and, in some cases, were sold at various stores in multiple states:
- Simply Nature Organic Strawberries: 24 oz. size; UPC: 4099100256222; Expiry date: 06/14/2024. Sold in Aldi stores in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
- Vital Choice Organic Strawberries: 16 oz. size; UPC: 834297005024; Expiry date: 05/20/2024. Sold in Washington.
- Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberries: 4 pounds. size; UPC: 96619140404; Expiry date: 08/10/2024. Sold in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
- Made with Organic Strawberries: 10oz. size; UPC: 814343021390; Expiry date: 20/11/2024. Sold in Illinois and Maryland.
- PCC Community Markets Organic Strawberries: 32 oz. size; UPC: 22827109469; Expiry date: 29/10/2024. Sold in Washington.
- Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend Pineapple, Bananas, Strawberries & Mango: 16 oz. size; UPC: 00511919; Use-by date: 04/25/24, 05/12/24, 05/23/24, 05/30/24, 06/07/24. Sold nationwide.
Consumers with questions may contact Scenic Fruit by email at customer.service@scenicfruit.com.
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Contributor: Jordan Mendoza
Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @mikesnider.
