Major supermarkets recall this popular product over hepatitis outbreak: 'Stop consuming'

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an urgent directive to all consumers to stop consuming frozen strawberries, and has issued urgent recalls of the fruit from major supermarkets. The reason for the recall of frozen strawberries is due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A illnesses.

The FDA announcement informs that two major frozen strawberry suppliers: California Splendor, Inc. and Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham have both recalled frozen organic strawberries. Their products are sold to major supermarkets like Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, PCC Community Markets and Trader Joe’s.

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Voluntary recall of frozen strawberries

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from food. The consequences of infection can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months.

Illness generally occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool.

As per the statement issued by Scenic Fruit Company, though these frozen fruits are recalled only as a preventative measure, customers should not consume them due to possible health risks. Their announcement states,

Although Hepatitis A has not been detected on this product, out of an abundance of caution, consumers should stop consuming the product and return it to their local store for a refund. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

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Information on the recalled products

Thebrand names, product names and net weight of the recalled products are as follows:

• Simply Nature, Organic Strawberries, 24 oz.
• Vital Choice, Organic Strawberries, 16 oz.
• Kirkland Signature, Organic Strawberries, 4 lbs.
• Made With, Organic Strawberries, 10 oz.
• PCC Community Markets, Organic Strawberries, 32 oz.
• Trader Joe’s, Organic Tropical Fruit Blend, 16 oz.

Additional details can be found at the FDA website here. Anyone who brought these products should return them to the stores immediately.

Sources used:

FDA: ‘Updated - Scenic Fruit Company Recalls Frozen Organic Strawberries and Frozen Organic Tropical Blend Because of Possible Health Risk’

FDA: ‘Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Virus Infections: Frozen Strawberries (February 2023)’

Food and Wine: ‘Frozen Fruit Recalled From Trader Joe's, Costco, and Aldi's Due to Hepatitis Outbreak’