An outbreak of Hepatitis A is causing major grocery stores across the US to recall frozen fruit. As People reports, Scenic Fruit Company has recalled its frozen organic strawberries from Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafoods and PCC Markets as well as its frozen organic tropical blend from Trader Joe’s.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shared an announcement from the company on March 17th. A recent report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that there have been five documented cases of Hepatitis A, all in Washington state.
Some frozen fruit products from the Scenic Fruit Company sold at Costco, Trader Joe’s, and a handful of other stores are being recalled due to possible hepatitis A contamination, the Food and Drug Administration announced on Friday. https://t.co/1B4ZqP1L3n
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 19, 2023
This resulted in two hospitalizations and no deaths have been reported. The report states that the outbreaks began sometime between November 24th and December 2022. All five patients noted that they ate frozen organic strawberries.
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Is Frozen Fruit Linked To The Outbreak?
The CDC claims that the frozen fruit are the “likely source of this outbreak.” The organization is currently advising anyone who purchased these products to avoid consuming the strawberries.
Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham is voluntarily recalling frozen strawberries due to an outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses.
To learn more, read the news release: https://t.co/pSvGKPAo0v pic.twitter.com/UC7hX6LQJ4
— OR Health Authority (@OHAOregon) March 22, 2023
Scenic Food Company wrote in their announcement, “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.”
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The recalled products were sold in Washington at Costco, PCC Community Markets, and Trader Joe’s. They were recalled by Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon on March 16.https://t.co/WqL35rDOEV
— KOMO News (@komonews) March 21, 2023
What To Do If You Purchased These Products
The company also stressed that customers who might’ve consumed these strawberries should consult with a health professional “to determine if a vaccination is appropriate.” Those with symptoms of Hepatitis A are being urged to seek “immediate care from their local health department.”
Per the announcement, as People writes, Oregon-based Scenic Food Company recalled its frozen organic strawberries “sold to Simply Nature” from the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Scenic Fruit Company has issued a recall for frozen strawberries and an organic tropical blend due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A.
https://t.co/BDbyJeA0cR— NBC15 News (@nbc15_madison) March 22, 2023
The strawberries have also been recalled, the outlet notes, from Vital Choice, Kirkland Signature, Made With and PCC Community Markets from Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Illinois and Maryland. The company’s organic tropical fruit blend that contains pineapple, bananas, strawberries and mango have also been recalled from Trader Joe’s stores nationwide.
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