Some frozen fruit products from the Scenic Fruit Company sold at Costco, Trader Joe’s and a handful of other stores are being recalled due to possible hepatitis A contamination, the Food and Drug Administration announced Friday.
The nationwide recall was issued specifically for frozen organic strawberries sold at Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood and PCC Community Markets, as well as Trader Joe’s Frozen Organic Tropical Mix, according to the agency.
Frozen strawberries may also be sold under brands such as Kirkland, Simply Nature, Made With and PCC Community Markets, the FDA said.
The FDA has released detailed information here on universal product codes, expiration dates, brand names, product names and states where berries were sold.
Although hepatitis A was not detected on these products, the FDA is urging consumers “out of an abundance of caution” to return the recalled items for a refund.
The Oregon-based Scenic Fruit Company has stopped producing and distributing the products while the company and the FDA investigate.
Trader Joe’s said in a statement that no illnesses have been reported in connection with these products and that it has removed them from store shelves and destroyed them.
According to the FDA, hepatitis A is a “contagious liver disease” that can be contracted 15 to 50 days after exposure, including by eating contaminated food. It can present as a mild illness that lasts for a few weeks, but it can also turn into a more serious illness that persists for several months.
Symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, and abnormal liver tests. For consumers with pre-existing health conditions, a severe case of hepatitis A can lead to liver failure.
The FDA recommends that customers who may have consumed the product consult a healthcare practitioner, who may recommend vaccination. Those already showing symptoms of hepatitis A are encouraged to contact their doctor or local health department immediately.