Frozen strawberries sold at Costco, Trader Joe’s and Aldi recalled after hepatitis A infections – Boston News, Weather, Sports

(CNN) – Frozen organic strawberries sold at several stores, including Costco And Aldiand in a frozen fruit mix Trader Joe’s are being recalled after being linked to an outbreak of hepatitis A infection in Washington state.

The US Food and Drug Administration is also warning people not to eat, sell or serve certain brands of organic frozen strawberries after five people contracted hepatitis A after eating them. Two people were hospitalized.

Investigators from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that in all five cases, the sufferers had eaten frozen strawberries sold by a common supplier. The strawberries used by this supplier were imported from certain farms in Baja California, Mexico in 2022.

The strain of hepatitis A causing the diseases this year is genetically identical to the strain that caused hepatitis A outbreak of hepatitis A infection last year. This outbreak was linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from Mexico and sold at various retailers in the United States.

Hepatitis A is one robust virus that survives freezing. It persists for hours on human hands and for days on contaminated surfaces.

In response to the investigation, two suppliers have now recalled organic frozen strawberries: California Splendor, of San Diego, Calif., has recalled certain batches of 4-pound bags of Kirkland-brand frozen strawberries at Costco stores in California.

The Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon has voluntarily recalled frozen organic strawberries sold to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood and PCC Community Markets in certain states and Trader Joe’s nationwide. At Trader Joe’s, the strawberries were in his Organic tropical fruit mix.

The bags of strawberries have an expiration date ranging from April to November 2024. A full list of the recalled strawberries is available on the FDA’s website.

The CDC and FDA advise that if you have any of the recalled strawberries in your freezer, you should throw them out or return them to the store for a refund.

Hepatitis A virus is a virus that attacks the liver. People get sick 15 to 50 days after eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Symptoms of hepatitis A infection include tiredness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine and light-colored stools. Some infections, especially in children younger than 6 years old, may not cause any symptoms

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