Voluntary recalls for frozen strawberries expanded as the Food and Drug Administration linked more retailers to a string of nine hepatitis A cases dating back to last year.
On Monday, the Willamette Valley Fruit Company in Salem, Oregon, recalled frozen strawberries sold at Walmart, Costco and HEB stores under the brand name Great Value at Walmart and Radar Farms Organic at Costco and HEB. announced.
Since November, nine people have developed symptoms and three have been hospitalized in Washington, California, and Oregon. The last confirmed cases began in April, according to the FDA.
“Consumers, restaurants and retailers should not sell, serve or eat recalled frozen strawberries,” the FDA said Tuesday. “These recalled products should be scrapped.”
The FDA notes that the product is sold nationwide and has a long shelf life, urging consumers to check their freezers and dispose of any that are found.
Affected products have a so-called “best before” date (the latest recommended date for use), which ranges from 23 September 2023 to 20 November 2024. Specific expiration dates and lot code products identifying batches of affected product are available at fda.gov.
An FDA investigation has reported the first five cases of hepatitis A transmission from frozen organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico. A case of hepatitis A Linked to them in March. The hepatitis A strain in these cases was genetically identical to the strain that caused hepatitis. 2022 hepatitis A epidemicwhich also related to fresh organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico.
In March, Wawona Frozen Foods, California Splendor, and Scenic Fruit voluntarily recalled frozen strawberries sold under the Wawona, Kirkland Signature, Simply Nature, Vital Choice, Made With, PCC Community Markets, and Trader Joe’s brands. It was sold at retailers such as Costco, Aldi, and Meyer.
The FDA said people usually contract hepatitis A within 15 to 50 days of eating contaminated food. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, and pale stools.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged anyone who believes they have eaten recalled frozen organic strawberries within the past two weeks and who has not been vaccinated against hepatitis A to contact their health care provider. Preventive treatment can help avoid illness, even after exposure.
