Check your freezer: Frozen organic strawberries linked to outbreak of Hepatitis A

The Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon, is recalling frozen organic strawberries sold to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, PCC Community Markets and frozen organic tropical blend sold to Trader Joe’s due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A illnesses.

Note: When Ace News Today attempted reaching the company’s website, we received a “Bandwidth Limit Exceeded: The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.”

Hopefully this is just a temporary glitch due to too many customers trying to reach the site. ~ Ace News Today

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. In rare cases, particularly consumers who have a pre-existing severe illness or are immune compromised, Hepatitis A infection can progress to liver failure.

Illness occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool. Hepatitis A vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure to a contaminated food. Persons who may have consumed affected product should consult with their health care professional or local health department to determine if a vaccination is appropriate, and consumers with symptoms of Hepatitis A should contact their health care professionals or the local health department immediately.

Check your freezer – the Scenic Fruit Company is recalling frozen fruit due to a potential Hepatitis A contamination. One of the products recalled is the organic tropical fruit blend that’s sold nationwide at Trader Joe’s. Organic frozen strawberries sold under five different brand names at Costco and Aldi are also under recall.

So far, five infections have been linked to the fruit.

Customers are advised to throw away the fruit or return it to the store for a refund. ~ CBS News, 3/18/2023

The following products are subject to this recall. The lot codes and best by dates are found on the back of each bag (see pictures and video below):

Brand Name	Product Name	Net Wt.	UPC	Best By Dates Best If Use Dates Best Before Date	Distributed in States
Simply Nature	Organic Strawberries	24 oz.	4099100256222	6/14/2024	Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin
Vital Choice	Organic Strawberries	16 oz.	834297005024	5/20/2024	Washington
Kirkland Signature	Organic Strawberries	4 lbs.	96619140404	10/8/2024	Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington.
Made With	Organic Strawberries	10 oz.	814343021390	11/20/2024	Illinois, Maryland
PCC Community Markets	Organic Strawberries	32 oz.	22827109469	10/29/2024	Washington
Trader Joe’s	Organic Tropical Fruit Blend Pineapple, Bananas, Strawberries & Mango	16 oz	00511919	04/25/24 05/12/24 05/23/24 05/30/24 06/07/24	Nationwide

Out of an abundance of caution, consumers should stop consuming the product and return it to their local store for a refund. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

All inventories of the affected lot should be removed from sale. Consumers who have purchased the products are urged to destroy or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at customer.service@scenicfruit.com