Scenic Fruit Company, an Oregon-based firm, has issued a recall of frozen organic strawberries and fruit blends sold to various retailers due to a Hepatitis A outbreak.
The products were sold to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, PCC Community Markets, and Trader Joe’s. In response to the recall, press releases have been issued by Aldi, Costco, and Trader Joe’s. All three retailers have locations in Central Ohio, and consumers who have purchased the products are advised to either destroy the item, or return it to the store for a refund.
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including through food. It can result in a mild illness lasting a few weeks or a serious illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A vaccination can prevent illness if administered within two weeks of exposure to a contaminated food. Persons who may have consumed the affected products should consult with their health care professional or local health department, and those experiencing symptoms of Hepatitis A should contact their health care professionals or local health department immediately.
The products subject to recall include Simply Nature, Vital Choice, and Kirkland Signature frozen organic strawberries and Made With organic strawberries. The best by dates and lot codes can be found on the back of each bag. The company has also included Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend in the recall, with best by dates ranging from 04/25/24 to 06/07/24. The affected products were distributed nationwide, except for Vital Choice strawberries, which were distributed only in Washington state.
Although Hepatitis A has not been detected on these products, the company has issued the recall as a precautionary measure. Consumers are advised to discontinue consumption of the affected products and return them to their local stores for a refund. The company has ceased production and distribution of the product while the FDA and the company continue their investigation into the cause of the problem. Consumers with questions are encouraged to contact the company at [email protected].