Frozen Strawberries Sold Costco Trader Joes Aldi Recalled HEPATITIS A Infections In Washington State
Frozen organic strawberries sold at several stores, including Costco and Aldi, and made into a frozen fruit mix at Trader Joe’s are being recalled due to an outbreak of hepatitis A infections in Washington state.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the warning, advising people not to consume, sell, or serve certain brands of frozen organic strawberries.
So far, five people have been infected with hepatitis A after consuming them, two of whom have been hospitalized.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says all five of those who became infected had eaten frozen strawberries, all sold by the same supplier.
In 2022, the supplier imported strawberries from specific growers in Baja California, Mexico.
Frozen organic strawberries sold at several stores, including Costco and Aldi, that were also included in a frozen fruit mix at Trader Joe’s are being recalled due to a link to an outbreak of hepatitis A infections in Washington state
The supplier had imported strawberries in 2022 from specific farms in Baja California, Mexico. Pictured is a day laborer working in a strawberry field in San Quintin Valley, Baja California State, Mexico (file photo)
The strain of hepatitis A behind the recent outbreak is genetically identical to the one responsible for another hepatitis outbreak last year. On that occasion, the source turned out to be fresh organic strawberries imported from Mexico and sold at various retailers in the US.
The bags of strawberries that are part of this current recall have expiration dates ranging from April to November 2024.
Both the CDC and FDA advise people to throw out recalled strawberries they have in their freezer or return them to the store where they bought them for a refund.
The two suppliers have recalled their frozen organic strawberries from California Splendor of San Diego.
Simply Nature, organic strawberries are being recalled, left, as are Made With, organic strawberries, right
Kirkland Signature 4-lb. bag of Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries, left, are on the recall list, as is Trader Joe’s, Organic Tropical Fruit Blend, right
One of the recalled items – Vital Choice Frozen Strawberries is being recalled
Fruit pickers line up baskets of strawberries before they are weighed on a farm in San Quintin, Baja California (file photo)
It is recalling batches of 4-pound bags of Kirkland brand frozen strawberries purchased from Costco stores in California.
Scenic Fruit Company, based in Gresham, Oregon, is also voluntarily recalling organic frozen strawberries sold to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood and PCC Community Markets in select states, along with Trader Joe’s in the US.
The recall is also part of the recall for the strawberries in Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend.
Hepatitis A is a virus that attacks the liver with symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, and pale stools.
People usually get sick between 15 and 50 days after consuming or drinking the contaminated food or water.
Some infections, especially in children under the age of six, may not cause any symptoms.
The virus can survive freezing and persist on hands for several hours and even days on contaminated surfaces.
The CDC recommends that all adults be screened for hepatitis B at least once in their lifetime, as the disease is linked to liver disease and cancer.