FDA Investigates Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked to Strawberries From These Locations

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a Hepatitis A outbreak that was linked to organic strawberries sold at Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and other stores.

The FDA is investigating FreshKampo and HEB brand organic strawberries for Hepatitis A Virus. The brand is sold at many stores which also includes Aldi, Weis Markets, WinCo Foods, Safeway, and Kroger.

The US has seen a total of 17 Hepatitis A cases connected to the strawberries, the FDA said.

The agency is “investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A infections in the United States and Canada potentially linked to fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo and HEB,” the FDA website reads.
The affected berries were purchased between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022. The FDA warned people who purchased strawberries during that period and then froze them to dispose of them.

Hepatitis A can cause mild illnesses that last weeks as well as severe illnesses that last several months. The FDA has said that in rare cases, it can cause liver disease and death.

Thus far, the FDA has reported 17 illnesses and 12 hospitalizations connected to consumption of the strawberries.

California saw 15 cases, while Minnesota and North Dakota saw one case each.

“If you are unsure of what brand you purchased, when you purchased your strawberries, or where you purchased them from prior to freezing them, the strawberries should be thrown away,” the FDA said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are also investigating.

Disclaimer: We have no position in any of the companies mentioned and have not been compensated for this article.