Oregon health officials are working with federal partners to determine whether product has caused any illnesses in Oregon.
Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham is recalling frozen "Organic Strawberries” sold at Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood and PCC Community Markets, and frozen “Organic Tropical Fruit Blend” sold at Trader Joe’s, due to an outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses.
According to the Oregon Health Authority, five outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A have been reported in Washington since March 13.
The five cases occurred between November 11 and December 27, 2022, and two individuals required hospitalization.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone reported eating frozen organic strawberries.
Although no patients with hepatitis A in Oregon have been definitively linked to the consumption of these products, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) officials are monitoring the outbreak in Washington.
In addition, OHA is interviewing persons diagnosed with hepatitis A to determine if any have consumed frozen berries.
“Since these products were available in Oregon stores, we want to let people know about them so they can take steps to protect themselves and their families,” said Ann Thomas, M.D., M.P.H., a public health physician in OHA’s Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention Section. “At this point, OHA is carefully investigating any new cases of hepatitis A virus to determine if they are associated with the outbreak, but we have not yet been able to link any Oregon cases to these products.”
The following products are subject to this recall:
- Simply Nature - Organic Strawberries - 24 oz. | UPC: 4099100256222 | Best by date: 6/14/24
- Vital Choice - Organic Strawberries - 16 oz. | UPC: 834297005024 | Best by date: 5/20/24
- Kirkland Signature - Organic Strawberries 4lbs. | UPC: 96619140404 | Best by date: 10/08/24
- Made With - Organic Strawberries 10oz. | UPC: 814343021390 | Best by date: 11/20/24
- PCC Community Markets - Organic Strawberries 32oz. | UPC: 22827109469 | Best by date: 29/10/2024 (printed on package)
- Trader Joe's - Organic Tropical Fruit Blend Pineapple, Bananas, Strawberries & Mango 16oz. | UPC: 00511919 | Best by date: 04/25/24, 05/12/24, 05/23/24, 05/30/24, 06/07/24
“The company is voluntarily recalling the affected products and cooperating with the FDA,” said Karel Smit, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Program manager. “The purpose of the recall is to remove the products from commerce and prevent the public from consuming potentially affected products.”
Although no hepatitis A virus has been found in the products, consumers should stop eating the product, and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, or throw it away. Consumers with questions may contact the company at customer.service@scenicfruit.com.