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March 22, 2023
Recall on Strawberries in Washington and Oregon
Frozen strawberry
products linked to
hepatitis A cases
in Washington
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.
Five outbreak-associated cases of
hepatitis A have been reported in Wash-
ington since March 13. The five cases
occurred between November 11 and De-
cember 27, 2022, and two individuals re-
quired hospitalization. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion (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, Ore-
gon 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,”
Frozen strawberries recalled after finding link to illness outbreak.
said Ann Thomas, M.D., M.P.H., a pub-
lic health physician in OHA’s Acute and
Communicable Disease Prevention Sec-
tion. “At this point, OHA is carefully
investigating any new cases of hepatitis
A virus to determine if they are associ-
ated with the outbreak, but we have not
yet been able to link any Oregon cases to
these products.”
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The company has ceased the production
and distribution of the product as the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and
the company continues their investigation
into what caused the problem. In addition,
the company is removing all inventories of
the affected lot from sale.
“The company is voluntarily recalling
the affected products and cooperating with
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the FDA,” said Karel Smit, Oregon De-
partment of Agriculture, Food Safety Pro-
gram manager. “The purpose of the recall
is to remove the products from commerce
and prevent the public from consuming po-
tentially 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.ser-
vice@scenicfruit.com.
Thomas said, “People who believe
they’ve gotten sick from consuming frozen
strawberries purchased at Costco or Trader
Joe’s should contact a health care provider.”
Since 2014, Oregon has seen an aver-
age of 20 cases a year, with 2020 having
the highest number at 29. Symptoms of
hepatitis A infection include jaundice (yel-
lowing of the skin and whites of the eyes),
tiredness, stomach pain, loss of appetite,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (frequent wa-
tery bowel movements), dark urine, and
light-colored bowel movements.
The disease varies in severity, with mild
cases lasting two weeks or less and more
severe cases lasting four to six weeks or
longer. Hepatitis A infection can result in
hospitalization. Some individuals, espe-
cially children, may not develop jaundice
and may have a mild illness that can go
unnoticed. However, even mildly ill peo-
ple can be highly infectious. People with
symptoms suggestive of hepatitis should
consult a physician immediately, even if
symptoms are mild.