<p>The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a recall of certain brands of frozen organic strawberries. According to the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-hepatitis-virus-infections-frozen-strawberries-february-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official website</a>, the food item has been connected to an &#8220;outbreak&#8221; of the Hepatitis A viral infection.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Kirkland&#8217;s Issued A Recall On Bags Of Its Frozen Organic Strawberries</h3>
<p>The FDA&#8217;s investigation was prompted by a vendor, California Splendor, Inc., recalling bags of Kirkland&#8217;s Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries on March 16. According to the administration&#8217;s <a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/california-splendor-inc-recalls-kirkland-brand-bags-frozen-organic-whole-strawberries-distributed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcement</a>, the vendor recalled 4-lb. bags of Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Strawberries. The bags were reportedly sold at Costco stores in Los Angeles, California, and Hawaii. As well as two business centers in San Diego, California.</p>
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<p>At the time of the announcement, Hepatitis A had not been detected &#8220;on this product.&#8221; However, &#8220;out of an abundance of caution,&#8221; the vendor and FDA encouraged consumers to halt consumption and return the item for a full refund.</p>
<p>The lot numbers for this initial recall can be found <a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/california-splendor-inc-recalls-kirkland-brand-bags-frozen-organic-whole-strawberries-distributed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p>Additionally, the vendor &#8220;ceased&#8221; production and distribution of the product, as the FDA began a full investigation.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">A Scenic Fruity Company Recalls Their Frozen Organic Strawberries</h3>
<p>According to the FDA, Scenic Fruit Company soon after issued a recall on their frozen organic strawberries.</p>
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<p>The items were reportedly sold at Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets in Washington. In addition, the company also recalled its frozen organic tropical blend which was sold at Trader Joe’s nationwide.</p>
<p>At this time, the stores that received the products were located in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Maryland, as per this <a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/updated-scenic-fruit-company-recalls-frozen-organic-strawberries-and-frozen-organic-tropical-blend" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a>.</p>
<p>Consumers can use the above link to determine if they have an impacted bag of frozen fruits by referring to UPC barcodes and product &#8220;best by dates.&#8221;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">More About Hepatitis A &; Important Information For Consumers</h3>
<p>On March 17, the FDA shared an additional <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-hepatitis-virus-infections-frozen-strawberries-february-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">update</a>, summarizing the retailers and frozen food batches involved in the viral outbreak.</p>
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<p>In addition, the FDA also shared more details about the &#8220;highly contagious&#8221; Hepatitis A viral infection. According to its <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-hepatitis-virus-infections-frozen-strawberries-february-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>, illness from Hepatitis A usually occurs within 15-50 days &#8220;after eating or drinking contaminated food or water.&#8221; Symptoms include &#8220;fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, and pale stool.&#8221;</p>
<p>However, in children under the age of 6, the infection can be asymptomatic. This means &#8220;producing or showing no symptoms,&#8221; as per <a href="https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oxford Languages</a>.</p>
<p>Additionally, while the FDA&#8217;s investigation is still ongoing, it is recommended that consumers do not &#8220;sell, serve, or eat recalled frozen strawberries.&#8221; If a person has ingested frozen strawberries within the past two weeks and is not vaccinated against Hepatitis A or is noticing symptoms of the infection, it is recommended that they see a doctor immediately.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm#overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CDC</a>, the symptoms of Hepatitis A can &#8220;last up to 2 months.&#8221; In rare cases, the infection can &#8220;cause liver failure and even death.&#8221;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">The FDA&#8217;s Findings Thus Far</h3>
<p>Furthermore, the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-hepatitis-virus-infections-frozen-strawberries-february-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FDA</a> has discovered that the affected frozen strawberries originated from &#8220;certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico.&#8221; The food item has been sold &#8220;to a variety of retailers under multiple brand labels.&#8221;</p>
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<p>Thus far, 5 people are said to have the illness, and 2 people are hospitalized. The individuals are reportedly all located in Washington. Additionally, the strain of Hepatitis A which prompted the current outbreak also matches the strain that caused an outbreak in 2022, as reported by <a href="https://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/can-strawberries-give-you-hepatitis-a-what-to-know/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNET</a>.</p>
<p>There have been no deaths from the infection. However, distribution of the frozen strawberries is currently listed as &#8220;nationwide.&#8221;</p>
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