The FDA is investigating hepatitis A outbreaks possibly related to fresh strawberries
The FDA with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and government and local partners said the strawberries were labeled as FreshKampo and HEB and purchased between March 5 and April 25.
They were distributed nationwide and sold at a number of retailers, including Aldi, HEB, Kroger, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Weis Markets and WinCo Foods.
The potentially affected strawberries are now above shelf life, the FDA said, but people who froze them for later use should not eat them.
“If you are unsure of which brand you bought, when you bought your strawberries, or where you bought them from before freezing them, the strawberries should be discarded,” the FDA warned.
Seventeen hepatitis cases have been identified in California, Minnesota and North Dakota, which have led to 12 hospitalizations, the FDA said. Traceback investigations show that cases in California, Minnesota and Canada reported having bought the strawberries. More products can be included as the investigation progresses. People became ill between March 28 and April 30.
The FDA also recommends that anyone who has bought and eaten the strawberries in the past two weeks who has not been vaccinated against hepatitis A should consult a healthcare professional to determine if prophylaxis after exposure is necessary. Anyone who thinks they may have symptoms after eating the strawberries should contact a healthcare professional.
Symptoms may include yellow skin or eyes, not wanting to eat, upset stomach, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, dark urine or light stools, diarrhea, joint pain and feeling tired.
Adults than children are more likely to have symptoms if they are infected.
