Frozen Fruit Recalled Over Possible Contamination
The recall has been issued across several states.
If you’ve got some frozen fruit tucked away in your freezer, you may want to check the labels.
A frozen fruit recall has been issued across several states due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Scenic Fruit Company has recalled its frozen organic strawberries.
The products were sold in several popular grocery stores like Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafoods and PCC Market.
A frozen organic tropical blend from Trader Joe’s is also being recalled.
The organic strawberries sold to Simply Nature from the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
The fruit appeared as Vital Choice, Kirkland Signature, Made With and PCC Community Markets in Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Illinois and Maryland.
And the pineapple, banana, mango and strawberry blend in Trader Joe’s was recalled nationwide.
Check out which products were specifically recalled by their UPC codes.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims the frozen fruit is the “likely” source of the outbreak, which is said to have occurred between Nov. 24 and Dec. of last year, reporting a total of five documented cases of Hepatitis A.
All the cases—two hospitalizations and no deaths—were reported in Washington State with patients indicating they ate the frozen organic strawberries prior to developing symptoms.
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection that can include symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, and more. Symptoms range in severity from person to person. The disease can be prevented with a vaccine if administered within two weeks of exposure to the contaminated food, the CDC notes.
"Although Hepatitis A has not been detected on this product, out of an abundance of caution, consumers should stop consuming the product and return it to their local store for a refund,” Scenic Food Company wrote in a statement.
The CDC advises those who purchased the product not to consume the strawberries. And for those who have, the Oregon-based food company suggests seeing a health professional to “ determine if a vaccination is appropriate.”
Anyone with symptoms should also seek out immediate care. Consumers with questions may contact the company at customer.service@scenicfruit.com
The recall comes on the heels of another similar one in December. At the time, Exportadora Compramar, the parent company of James Farm, recalled almost 1300 cases of frozen raspberries after discovering a potential Hepatitis A contamination.
