Hepatitis A found in frozen organic strawberries, FDA and CDC say

The strain of hepatitis A is also “genetically identical” to the strain that caused an outbreak of hepatitis A infections in May 2022 in fresh, organic strawberries imported from farms in Baja California, authorities said.

Some of the symptoms of a hepatitis A infection, according to experts, are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and jaundice. In some cases, the infection may be asymptomatic in children under six years of age.

According to data provided to the FDA by the CDC, 5 out of 5 people who provided information about what they ate when they got sick reported eating frozen strawberries.

The FDA’s traceback investigation then identified a common supplier of the frozen organic strawberries, the agency said.

In response to the investigation, California Splendor, Inc. of San Diego voluntarily recalled 4-pound bags of Kirkland Signature frozen, organic whole strawberries, the FDA said, adding that the bags in question were sold at Costco stores in Los Angeles and Hawaii. and in two business centers in San Diego.

Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon, also voluntarily recalled frozen organic strawberries sold to Costco and Trader Joe’s nationwide, according to authorities. Consumers should avoid 4-pound bags of Kirkland Signature Organic Frozen and Trader Joe’s 16-ounce Organic Tropical Fruit Blend.