FDA explores multi-case hepatitis, an outbreak linked to strawberries

• The FDA is investigating FreshKampo’s organic strawberries and HEB for hepatitis A virus.
• These brands of organic strawberries are sold at Aldi, Kroger, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and more.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the United States has seen a total of 17 cases of hepatitis A linked to strawberries.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating two brands of strawberries sold in the best grocery stores to treat hepatitis A.

The agency “is investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A infection in the United States and Canada potentially linked to FreshKampo and HEB-branded organic strawberries,” according to the Food and Drug Administration’s website.

The affected berries were purchased between March 5, 2022 and April 25, 2022. The US Food and Drug Administration has warned people who bought strawberries during that time and then frozen them for disposal.

Hepatitis A can cause mild illnesses that last for weeks as well as serious illnesses that last for months. In rare cases, the infection can cause liver disease and death, the FDA said. Most people recover fully within a few weeks.

To date, the US Food and Drug Administration has reported 17 illnesses and 12 hospitalizations associated with strawberry consumption. California saw 15 cases, while Minnesota and North Dakota saw one each.

FreshKampo and HEB brand strawberries are sold at several retailers, including Aldi, HEB, Kroger, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Weis Markets, and WinCo Foods.

“If you are not sure what brand you bought, when you bought your strawberries, or where you bought them before you were frozen, discard the strawberries,” the FDA said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are also investigating.