After Tropical Smoothie Cafe was linked to a Hepatitis A outbreak that has sickened at least 17 people in Virginia, CEO Mike Rotondo apologized to customers on a video posted on the company’s website. Health officials say the source of the outbreak was frozen strawberries imported from Egypt.
“I sincerely apologize for any issues that this may have caused for any of our customers,” Rotondo said. “We take this issue very seriously. Your health and your safety is our top priority. We want you to have confident that we source high quality products so that you’ll come back again and visit us very soon. Thank you.”
The company removed the imported strawberries from all locations and has found an alternate supplier.
Vaccinations can prevent symptoms, but only if given within two weeks of exposure. Symptoms of an infection include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, dark urine, diarrhea, and yellow skin and eyes. These symptoms last between three to eight weeks, sometimes causing severe illness. Some people infected with Hepatitis A show no symptoms. See a health care provider, if you believe you were exposed.
