An outbreak of hepatitis A was investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state public health partners, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As of July 18, 2023, a total of 10 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A have been reported from four states (CA (2), HI (1), OR (1), WA (6)). Illnesses ranged from November 24, 2022, to June 4, 2023. Cases ranged from 38 to 64 years of age, with a median age of 56.5 years. Thirty percent of cases were female. Of 10 cases with available information, 4 (40%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The hepatitis A virus strain causing illnesses in this outbreak is genetically identical to the strain that caused a foodborne hepatitis A outbreak in 2022, which was linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico, and sold at various retailers.

Ten cases were interviewed, and 10/10 (100%) reported eating frozen, organic strawberries. This proportion was significantly higher than results from a survey of healthy people, in which 24% reported eating frozen berries in the week before they were interviewed. Traceback and epidemiological investigations showed that outbreak-associated cases purchased the same retail brand of frozen organic strawberries prior to becoming ill. The outbreak was linked to frozen organic strawberries, imported fresh from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico in 2022 by a common supplier.

In response to this investigation, California Splendor, Inc. of San Diego, California voluntarily recalled certain lots of 4-lb. bags of Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries that were sold at Costco stores in Los Angeles, California; Hawaii; and two San Diego, California business centers. The lots subject to this recall include: 140962-08, 142222-23, 142792-54, 142862-57, 142912-59, 142162-20, 142202-21, 142782-53, 142852-56, 142902-58, 142212-22, 142232-24, 142842-55.

In response to this investigation, Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon voluntarily recalled frozen, organic strawberries sold to Costco, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets in certain states. Products subject to this recall include:

Simply NatureOrganic Strawberries24 oz.40991002562226/14/2024Arizona,
Arkansas,
California,
Illinois,
Iowa,
Michigan,
Minnesota,
Missouri,
North Dakota,
Ohio,
South Dakota,
Wisconsin
Vital ChoiceOrganic Strawberries16 oz.8342970050245/20/2024Washington
Kirkland SignatureOrganic Strawberries4 lbs.9661914040410/8/2024Alaska,
Idaho,
Montana,
Oregon,
Utah,
Washington
Made WithOrganic Strawberries10 oz.81434302139011/20/2024Illinois,
Maryland
PCC Community MarketsOrganic Strawberries32 oz.2282710946929/10/2024Washington
Trader Joe’sOrganic Tropical Fruit Blend Pineapple, Bananas, Strawberries & Mango16 oz.0051191904/25/24,
05/12/24,
05/23/24,
05/30/24,
06/07/24		Nationwide

On March 17, 2023, the retailer Meijer also issued a voluntarily recall of Made-With brand frozen, organic strawberries from certain market store locations.

In response to this investigation, on June 7, 2023, Wawona Frozen Foods of Clovis, California, initiated a voluntary recall of year-old packages of Wawona brand Organic DayBreak Blend 4-lb. bags that were distributed to Costco Wholesale stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, and Washington from April 15, 2022, to June 26, 2022, with “Use By” dates of 9/23/2023, 9/29/2023, 9/30/2023, and 10/18/2023:

Best If Used By 09/23/2023Best If Used By 09/29/2023Best If Used By 09/30/2023Best If Used By 10/18/2023
Affected Lot Codes:Affected Lot Codes:Affected Lot Codes:Affected Lot Codes:
20082D0420088D0420089D0920108D04
20082D0520088D0520089D1020108D05
20082D0620088D0620089D1120108D06
20082D0720088D0720089D1220108D07
20082D0820088D0820108D08
20088D09
20088D10
20088D11
20088D12

In response to this investigation, on June 12, 2023, Willamette Valley Fruit Co. of Salem, Oregon, voluntarily recalled select packages of frozen fruit, containing strawberries, distributed to the following retailers: Walmart (from January 24, 2023 to June 8, 2023), Costco Wholesale Stores (from October 3, 2022 to June 8, 2023), and HEB (from July 18, 2022 to June 8, 2023). Products subject to this recall include:

RetailerProduct NameNet weightLot CodeBest By DateDistributed in States
WalmartGreat Value Sliced Strawberries4 lbs.4018305
4019305		7/19/2024
7/20/2024		AR, AZ, CA,
CO, HI, IA, ID,
IL, IN, KS, KY,
LA, MD, MI,
MN, MO, MT,
ND, NE, NV,
NY, OH, OK,
OR, PA, SD,
TX, UT, VA,
WI, WV, WY
Great Value Mixed Fruit4 lbs.4024205
4025305
4032305
4033305
4034305
4035305		7/25/2024
7/26/2024
8/2/2024
8/3/2024
8/4/2024
8/5/2024
Great Value Antioxidant Fruit Blend40 oz.40323058/2/2024
Costco WholesaleRader Farms Fresh Start Smoothie Blend48 oz. bag containing six 8 oz. pouches4224202
4313202
4314202
4363202
4364202
4017302
4018302
4042306
4043306
4060306		2/11/2024
5/10/2024
5/11/2024
6/29/2024
6/30/2024
7/18/2024
7/19/2024
8/12/2024
8/13/2024
8/30/2024		AZ, CA, CO, TX
HEBRader Farms Organic Berry Trio3 lbs.4153205
4283202
4284202
4058302
4059302		12/02/2023
4/10/2024
4/11/2024
8/28/2024
8/29/2024		TX

In sum, the Willamette Valley Fruit Co. voluntary recall affected Great Value Mixed Fruit, Sliced Strawberries, and Antioxidant Fruit Blend sold in Walmart stores in AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, and WY from January 24, 2023, to June 8, 2023; Rader Farms Organic Fresh Start Smoothie Blend sold in Costco stores in CO, TX, CA, and AZ from October 3, 2022, and June 8, 2023; Rader Farms Organic Berry Trio sold in HEB stores in TX from July 18th, 2022, to June 8, 2023; the Wawona Frozen Foods voluntary recall affected packages of Organic DayBreak Blend distributed to Costco Wholesale stores in AZ, CA, CO, UT, and WA from April 15, 2022 to June 26, 2022; the Meijer recall affected MadeWith brand frozen, organic strawberries sold in Meijer stores in certain location; the California Splendor, Inc. voluntary recalled affected certain lots of 4-lb. bags of Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries that were sold at Costco stores in Los Angeles and Hawaii, and at two San Diego business centers; and the Scenic Fruit Company voluntary recall affected frozen, organic strawberries sold to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets in certain states and to Trader Joe’s nationwide.

California Splendor supplied product sold to Costco stores in Los Angeles and HI, and to two San Diego business centers; Scenic Fruit supplied product sold to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets in specific states, and to Trader Joe’s nationwide. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Hepatitis A:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Hepatitis A outbreaks. The Hepatitis A lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Hepatitis A and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $850 million for clients.  Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our Hepatitis A lawyers have litigated Hepatitis A cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of sources, such as green onions, lettuce and restaurant food.  The law firm has brought Hepatitis A lawsuits against such companies as Costco, Subway, McDonald’s, Red Robin, Chipotle, Quiznos and Carl’s Jr.  We proudly represented the family of Donald Rockwell, who died after consuming Hepatitis A tainted food and Richard Miller, who required a liver transplant after eating food at a Chi-Chi’s restaurant.

If you or a family member became ill with a Hepatitis A infection after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark Hepatitis A attorneys for a free case evaluation.

Additional Resources:

[1]           Organic Strawberries Hepatitis A Outbreak | CDC

[2]           Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Virus Infections: Frozen Strawberries (February 2023) | FDA

[3]           2023 Hepatitis A Outbreak Associated with Frozen Organic Strawberries | Washington State Department of Health

[4]           Gresham company recalling frozen strawberry products linked to hepatitis A cases in Washington (govdelivery.com)

[5]           California Splendor, Inc. Recalls Kirkland Brand Bags of Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries Distributed by Costco in Los Angeles, Hawaii, and in Two San Diego Business Centers Because of Possible Health Risk | FDA

[6]           Updated – Scenic Fruit Company Recalls Frozen Organic Strawberries and Frozen Organic Tropical Blend Because of Possible Health Risk | FDA

[7]           103441 – Made-With Frozen Strawberries (Market Format Locations Only) – Recalls – Meijer – Meijer Community

[8]           Wawona Frozen Foods Voluntarily Recalls Organic Daybreak Blend Processed and Sold in 2022 Due to Possible Health Risk | FDA

[9]           Willamette Valley Fruit Co. Recalls Great Value Sliced Strawberries, Great Value Mixed Fruit Great Value Antioxidant Blend, Rader Farms Organic Fresh Start Smoothie Blend, and Rader Farms Organic Berry Trio Because of Possible Health Risk | FDA