Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked to Frozen Organic Strawberries

Update

Investigation status: Closed
Recall issued: Yes

CDC and partners investigated a multistate hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico from November 24, 2022 to May 27, 2023. The outbreak investigation is over.

Fast Facts

United States
  • Cases: 10
  • Confirmed cases: 10
  • Hospitalizations: 4
  • States: California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington

CDC and partners investigated a multistate hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico from November 24, 2022 to May 27, 2023. The outbreak investigation is over.

Situation summary

Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 24, 2022 to May 27, 2023, among people aged 38–64 years old (median age=56.5 years), and 30% of ill people were female. Of the 10 people with available information, four (40%) were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.

The strawberries were sold to a variety of retailers under multiple brand labels. See recalled items section below.

A close up of organic strawberries that have been frozen
Frozen organic strawberries linked to hepatitis A outbreak.

Outbreak investigation summary

In April 2023, CDC, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state public health and regulatory officials in several states investigated an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to frozen organic strawberries. They reported a total of 10 cases from four states. CDC declared the outbreak over in September 2023.

Source of the outbreak

During the outbreak, investigators discovered that the hepatitis A virus (HAV) strain causing illnesses in this outbreak was genetically identical to the strain that caused a foodborne hepatitis A outbreak in 2022, which was linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from the same farm in Baja California, Mexico, and sold at various retailers. This single farm supplied strawberries to multiple importers across both outbreaks and some recipients processed fresh strawberries into the frozen berries consumed in the 2023 outbreak.

Recalled items

There were multiple recalls issued during this outbreak. Details can be found at:

California Splendor, Inc. Recall

Scenic Fruit Company Recall

Meijer Recall

Wawona Recall

Willamette Valley Fruit Co. Recall

FDA Advisory

What you should do

If you learn about an outbreak, follow advice from health officials.

In this outbreak, CDC recommended returning or throwing away frozen organic strawberries affected by the recalls listed in the recalled items above.

If you think you've been exposed‎

If you've eaten these recalled frozen organic strawberries within the last 14 days and are not vaccinated against hepatitis A, contact your local health department or health care provider to discuss treatment, including postexposure prophylaxis.

Resources

About Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by HAV. Hepatitis A spreads when someone consumes the virus, typically through close personal contact with a person who is infected or from eating something contaminated. Hepatitis A is preventable through vaccination.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Symptoms of hepatitis A usually appear 2–7 weeks after exposure and can include:

  • Dark urine or clay-colored stools
  • Diarrhea
  • Feeling tired
  • Fever
  • Joint pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea, stomach pain, throwing up
  • Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)

Not everyone with hepatitis A has symptoms. Adults are more likely than children to have symptoms. People who get hepatitis A might feel sick for a few weeks to several months but usually recover completely.

In rare cases, hepatitis A can lead to hospitalization, liver failure, and even death. This is more common in older people and in people with other serious health issues, such as chronic liver disease.