FDA recalls frozen organic strawberries sold at Trader Joe’s and Costco

News

By Katherine Donlevy

March 19, 2023 | 1h18

Frozen organic strawberries sold at several popular grocery stores — including Trader Joe’s and Costco — were recalled by the FDA on Friday after the fruit was linked to several cases of hepatitis A.

The department said at least five people in Washington state had been diagnosed with highly contagious liver infections after eating the products, which were all linked to California Splendor, Inc., a San Diego-based supplier.

“Based on epidemiological data collected by the CDC, 5 out of 5 (100%) people who provided information about what they ate before they got sick reported eating frozen organic strawberries,” the FDA said.

The affected strawberries were all imported from farms in Baja California, Mexico.

The strain of hepatitis A virus causing the illnesses is genetically identical to the strain that caused an outbreak in 2022, which was also linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from the same Mexican region, the FDA said.

Strawberries from the botched batch were disturbed across the country and stockpiled on the shelves of Aldi, Costco, Trader Joe’s, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood and PCC Community Markets.

“Consumers, restaurants and retailers should not sell, serve or eat the recalled frozen strawberries. These recalled products should be returned or discarded,” the FDA said.

California Splendor has recalled some packaging of its frozen strawberries from Costco stores in California.

Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon, issued a voluntary recall citing “possible health risk”.

Symptoms of hepatitis A usually appear 15 to 50 days after consumption of contaminated products.

“A viral infection includes fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, and pale stools,” according to the FDA. “In some cases, especially in children under six, hepatitis A infection may be asymptomatic.”