The FDA CORE Investigation Table has been updated with a new outbreak and an increase in the number of cases in the hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen organic strawberries. There are currently four active outbreak investigations on that Table. The new outbreak has sickened at least 13 people. We don't know where those people live, illness onset dates, if anyone has been hospitalized, or the patient age range. We also do not know the pathogen, or if it was a food sold from a grocery store or served at a restaurant that caused these illnesses. In the hepatitis A outbreak, the case count has increased from seven to eight. Several bands of frozen organic strawberries, including Kirkland Signature, Simply Nature, Vital Choice, Made With, Meijer, PCC Community Markets, and Trader … [Read more...]
Frozen Strawberries Hepatitis A Case Count Increases to 8
The frozen strawberries hepatitis A outbreak case count has increased to 8 patients, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is an increase of one more patient since the last update on April 11, 2023. Several recalls of the strawberries have been issued, including the brands Kirkland Signature, Made With, PCC Community Markets, Trader Joe's, Meijer, Vital Choice, and Simply Nature. The berries were imported from Baja, California in Mexico. The case count by state is: California (2), and Washington (6). The new patient lives in Washington. Two people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Illness onset dates range from November 24, 2022 to April 12, 2023. The outbreak strain is the same one that was linked to strawberries imported from Mexico … [Read more...]
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table Updated
The FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table has been updated with more informant about the Salmonella Infantis, the Salmonella Hartford, and the hepatitis A outbreaks. There are currently just three active outbreak investigations on that table. For the Salmonella Infantis outbreak that is linked to raw flour, an onsite inspection, sample collection, and sample analysis has been initiated. In that outbreak, there are 12 people in 11 states that are sick. The case count is: California (1), Illinois (2), Iowa (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), Tennessee (1), and Virginia (1). The outbreak investigation has not been updated since March 30, 2023. No specific brand of flour has been linked to these illnesses. The Salmonella Hartford … [Read more...]
New Mystery Salmonella Infantis Outbreak Sickens 12
A new mystery Salmonella Infantis outbreak has sickened at least 12 people, according to the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. There are now five active outbreak investigations on that table. For the new mystery Salmonella Infantis outbreak, there is no recall, we don't know where ill persons live, there is no patient age range, and we don't know if anyone has been hospitalized. The only action that the government has taken so far is traceback. In the mystery Salmonella Hartford outbreak in a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 50 to 53 cases. In that investigation, traceback has begun, an on-site inspection has begun, and samples have been collected and analyzed. The hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen organic strawberries remains unchanged, … [Read more...]
History of Hepatitis A Outbreaks Linked to Berries is Long
The history of hepatitis A outbreaks linked to berries is long. The current outbreak that has sickened at least five people in Washington state is linked to frozen organic strawberries branded Kirkland Signature, and Scenic Fruit Company strawberries that were sold at Costco, Trader Joe's, and other stores. Those products have been recalled. In 2019, the FDA launched a program to sample berries for both hepatitis A and norovirus in the wake of three hepatitis A outbreaks from 1997 to 2017 that sickened hundreds of people. Since then there have been two outbreaks linked to berries, one last year and the new outbreak. In 2013, there was a hepatitis A outbreak linked to Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen mixed berries. There were at least 162 people in 10 states … [Read more...]
Which Brands of Frozen Strawberries Are Recalled For Hepatitis?
Which brands of frozen strawberries are being recalled for possible hepatitis A contamination? There is a hepatitis A outbreak linked to these products that has sickened at least five people in Washington state. The newest recall is for Made-With Foods Frozen Strawberries that were sold in 10 ounce packages at Meijer Market Format locations only. The UPC number for this product is 8-14343-02139-0, and the use by date on the package is 11/20/2024. California Splendor is recalling Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries in 4 pound packages that were sold at Costco stores in Los Angeles, Hawaii, and two San Diego business centers. The lot numbers of this recalled product are 140962-08, 142222-23, 142792-54, 142862-57, 142912-59, 142162-20, 142202-21, 142782-53, … [Read more...]
Mystery Salmonella Hartford Outbreak Grows to 50 Sick
The mystery Salmonella Hartford outbreak has grown to include 50 patients, according to the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. There are three other active outbreak investigations on that table. In the Salmonella outbreak, traceback has been initiated and on-site inspection has begun. The FDA has collected samples and has begun to analyze those samples. No recall has been initiated, we don't know the patient age range of illness onset date, or whether or not anyone has been hospitalized. The hepatitis A outbreak linked to recalled frozen organic strawberries remains the same. Five patients in Washington state are sick and two people have been hospitalized. Two recalls have been issued: one for Kirkland Organic Frozen Strawberries packaged in a 4 pound bag, and one for … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Frozen Strawberries Outbreak Sickens 5 in WA
A hepatitis A frozen strawberries outbreak in Washington state has sickened at least five people, according to the FDA. Three of the cases are confirmed, and two are probable, as of March 17, 2022. Two patients have been hospitalized because they are so sick. And two recalls of organic frozen strawberries have been issued. California Splendor recalled Kirkland Signature 4 pound bag of frozen organic strawberries sold in in California and Hawaii; and Scenic Fruit recalled certain lots of these brand names: Simply Nature, Vital Choice, Kirkland Signature, Made With, PCC Community Markets, and Trader Joe's Organic Tropical Fruit Blend. All are frozen organic strawberries. If you have any of these products in your home, discard them. More products may be recalled as the investigation … [Read more...]
Frozen Strawberries Hepatitis A Outbreak Announced by CDC
A frozen strawberries hepatitis A outbreak has been announced why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak has sickened five people who live in Washington state. The outbreak is linked to frozen organic strawberries that were imported from "certain farms" located in Baja California, Mexico by a common supplier. All five patients live in Washington state. Illness onset dates range from November 24, 2022 to December 27, 2022. The patient age range is from 38 to 61 years. Of five people who gave information about their illness to public health investigators, two, or 40%, have been hospitalized. Two recalls have been issued in response to this outbreak. The first is for Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries distributed by Costco in Los … [Read more...]
Scenic Fruit Frozen Strawberries Recalled in Hepatitis A Outbreak
Scenic Fruit Frozen Strawberries are being recalled due to a hepatitis A outbreak investigation, according to the FDA. Hepatitis A has not been detected on this product, but consumers should stop consuming the berries out of an abundance of caution. The strawberries were sold to these stores: Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets, and are in frozen Organic Tropical Fruit Blend sold to Trader Joe’s. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can cause serious complications and even liver failure in some people with pre-existing liver disease and immune system illnesses. Most people get sick within 15 to 50 days after consuming products contaminated with this virus. Symptoms of a hepatitis A infection include fatigue, diarrhea, low grade fever, … [Read more...]
