FDA investigates Hepatitis A outbreak potentially linked to strawberries

• Organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo and HEB, purchased between March 5 and April 25, have been potentially linked to a Hepatitis A outbreak.
• Investigations of hepatitis cases in California, Minnesota, and Canada showed reports of strawberry purchases.
• The FDA is urging consumers to throw away strawberries if they are unsure of the brand, origin, and date of purchase.

Fresh organic strawberries have been linked to a Hepatitis A outbreak in the United States and Canada.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the link, together with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and state and local partners.

There have been 17 hepatitis cases in California, Minnesota, and North Dakota, which led to 12 hospitalizations. Traceback investigations revealed that cases in California, Minnesota, and Canada were linked to strawberry purchases.

The strawberries, branded as FreshKampo and HEB, were purchased between March 5 and April 25. Illnesses were reported between March 28 and April 30.

The strawberries were distributed nationwide and sold at several retailers, including Aldi, HEB, Kroger, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Weis Markets, and WinCo Foods.

FDA said that the potentially affected strawberries are now past their shelf life, but some consumers may have frozen them for later use.

The agency urged consumers to throw away purchased strawberries if they are unsure of their brand, origin, and date of purchase prior to freezing them.

The agency also urged anyone who purchased and consumed strawberries in the last two weeks without a vaccination against Hepatitis A to seek medical care to determine whether they would need post-exposure prophylaxis. Anyone who reports symptoms after consuming strawberries should also seek medical care.

The CDC listed the following symptoms: yellow skin or eyes, lack of appetite, stomach pain, an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, dark urine or light-colored stools, fever, fatigue, and joint pain. Symptoms usually appear about two to seven weeks after infection. Not everyone has symptoms, which typically last less than two months but can last as long as six months.

Adults are more likely to exhibit symptoms of infection compared with children.

Source: CBS News