An Oregon-based company is issuing a recall on select packages of frozen fruit containing strawberries grown in Mexico due to the potential for Hepatitis A contamination.
Willamette Valley Fruit Co, of Salem, Oregon, issued the voluntary recall Monday for select packages of frozen fruit containing strawberries grown in Mexico.
Signs of hepatitis A exposure include fatigue, jaundice, dark urine, pale stool and, in some cases, liver failure.
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What packages are being recalled?
According to an alert issued Tuesday from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the products were sold and distributed through the following retailers:
- Walmart: Great Value Sliced Strawberries, Great Value Mixed Fruit, and Great Value Antioxidant Blend distributed to select Walmart stores in 32 states from Jan. 24 2023 to June 8.
- Costco Wholesale Stores: Rader Farms Organic Fresh Start Smoothie Blend distributed to Costco Wholesale stores in Colorado, Texas, California, and Arizona from Oct. 3rd, 2022 through June 8
- HEB: Rader Farms Organic Berry Trio distributed to HEB stores in Texas from July 18t2022 to June 8.
See the complete list of recalled frozen fruit here.
How do I get a refund?
The FDA is advising consumers to dispose of the year-old mix or return it to stores for a refund, adding that the product is no longer available on store shelves.
So far no illness have been reported by the FDA or company.
How do people contract hepatitis A?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) hepatitis A is not generally transmitted through person-to-person contact but is instead usually spread by close physical contact, including sex and needle sharing, or through fecal-oral contact.
While the recall was not linked to any documented illnesses, the CDC reported the U.S. has grappled with several hepatitis A outbreaks in recent years, with one foodborne outbreak linked to strawberries resulting in 13 hospitalizations over four states between March and May of 2022.
To avoid potential infection, the World Health Organization suggests taking extra care when handling food or drink.
As of June, the CDC continued to monitor potential outbreaks in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Indiana and Missouri.
Separate frozen fruit recall issued
The recall comes just days after Wawona Frozen Foods has announced a voluntary recall of its Organic DayBreak Blend due to potential Hepatitis A contamination of Mexican-grown strawberries included in the mix.
The recall, made out of an “abundance of caution,” includes 4-pound bags sold at Costco stores between April 15 and June 26, 2022, with “use by” dates of September 23, 29, 30 and November 10, 2023.
Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge
Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
