Monday, March 20, 2023

Imported Frozen Strawberries Linked to Hepatitis A Outbreak, Product Recalled in HI and CA

California Splendor, Inc. of San Diego, California is recalling certain lots of 4-lb. bags of Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Strawberries that were sold at Costco stores in Los Angeles, Hawaii and two San Diego business centers, due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A illnesses. The outbreak of hepatitis A linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico, by a common supplier.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/updated-scenic-fruit-company-recalls-frozen-organic-strawberries-and-frozen-organic-tropical-blend
Updated - Scenic Fruit Company Recalls Frozen Organic Strawberries and Frozen Organic Tropical Blend Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 16, 2023
FDA Publish Date: March 17, 2023
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Hepatitis A
Company Name: Scenic Fruit Company
Brand Name: Simply Nature, Vital Choice and others
Product Description: Frozen Organic Strawberries and fruit blend

Company Announcement
‘The company has issued a correction to the previous announcement’.
March 17, 2023, this press release is updated to include the states that Aldi sold Simply Nature frozen organic strawberries.

Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon is recalling frozen organic strawberries sold to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, PCC Community Markets and frozen organic tropical blend sold to Trader Joe’s due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A illnesses.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. In rare cases, particularly consumers who have a pre-existing severe illness or are immune compromised, Hepatitis A infection can progress to liver failure.

Illness occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool. Hepatitis A vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure to a contaminated food. Persons who may have consumed affected product should consult with their health care professional or local health department to determine if a vaccination is appropriate, and consumers with symptoms of Hepatitis A should contact their health care professionals or the local health department immediately.

The following products are subject to this recall. The lot codes and best by dates are found on the back of each bag (see attached pictures below):
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/updated-scenic-fruit-company-recalls-frozen-organic-strawberries-and-frozen-organic-tropical-blend

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/california-splendor-inc-recalls-kirkland-brand-bags-frozen-organic-whole-strawberries-distributed
California Splendor, Inc. Recalls Kirkland Brand Bags of Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries Distributed by Costco in Los Angeles, Hawaii, and in Two San Diego Business Centers Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 16, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  March 16, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Hepatitis A
Company Name:  California Splendor, Inc.
Brand Name:  Kirkland Signature
Product Description:  Frozen Organic Strawberries

Company Announcement

California Splendor, Inc. of San Diego, California is recalling certain lots of 4-lb. bags of Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Strawberries that were sold at Costco stores in Los Angeles, Hawaii and two San Diego business centers, due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A illnesses. Although, Hepatitis A has not been detected on this product, out of an abundance of caution, consumers should stop consuming the food and return it to their local Costco store for a refund.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. Illness generally occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool. In rare cases, particularly consumers who have a pre-existing severe illness or are immune compromised, Hepatitis A infection can progress to liver failure.

Illness occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool. Hepatitis A vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure to a contaminated food. Persons who may have consumed affected product should consult with their health care professional or local health department to determine if a vaccination is appropriate, and consumers with symptoms of Hepatitis A should contact their health care professionals or the local health department immediately.

The lots subject to this recall are as follows:
140962-08 142222-23 142792-54 142862-57 142912-59
142162-20 142202-21 142782-53 142852-56 142902-58
142212-22 142232-24 142842-55

The lot number can be identified on the back of the bag as shown below:

The company has ceased the production and distribution of the affected product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers with questions may email the company at consumerinformation@calsplendor.com.

FDA Outbreak Advisory

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2023/hav-contaminated-food/index.htm
CDC Food Safety Alert
Outbreak of Hepatitis A Virus Infections Linked to Frozen Organic Strawberries
At A Glance
Reported cases: 5
States: 1
Hospitalizations: 2
Deaths: 0

As of March 13, 2023, there are:
5 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A reported from 1 state (Washington).
Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 24, 2022, to December 27, 2022.
2 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that frozen organic strawberries are the likely source of this outbreak.
In interviews, all people reported eating frozen organic strawberries.
CDC, state public health and regulatory officials, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico, by a common supplier. Frozen organic strawberries may be sold to a variety of retailers under multiple brand labels. Traceback and epidemiological investigations show that people with outbreak-associated cases in Washington purchased the same retail brand of frozen organic strawberries prior to becoming ill.

As of March 13, 2023, a total of 5 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A have been reported from 1 state.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 24, 2022, to December 27, 2022. Ill people range in age from 38 to 61 years, with a median age of 52 years. Forty percent of ill people are female. Of 5 people with available information, 2 (40%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Investigation of the Outbreak

Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that frozen organic strawberries, imported fresh from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico in 2022, are the likely source of this outbreak. The hepatitis A virus strain causing illnesses in this outbreak is genetically identical to the strain that caused a foodborne hepatitis A outbreak in 2022, which was linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico, and sold at various retailers.

In interviews, ill people answered questions about the foods they ate and other exposures in the 2 to 7 weeks before they became ill. Of people who were interviewed, all of them reported eating frozen organic strawberries. This proportion was significantly higher than results from a survey of healthy people in which 24% reported eating frozen berries in the week before they were interviewed.

In response to this investigation, California Splendor, Inc. of San Diego, California voluntarily recalled certain lots of 4-lb. bags of Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries that were sold at Costco stores in Los Angeles, California; Hawaii; and two San Diego, California business centers. The lots subject to this recall include: 140962-08, 142222-23, 142792-54, 142862-57, 142912-59, 142162-20, 142202-21, 142782-53, 142852-56, 142902-58, 142212-22, 142232-24, 142842-55.

In response to this investigation, Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon voluntarily recalled frozen organic strawberries, sold to Costco, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets in certain states. Products subject to this recall include:

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