FDA investigating outbreak of hepatitis A potentially linked to organic strawberries

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A that may be linked to two brands of organic strawberries sold at several retailers in the United States and Canada.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, FreshKampo and HEB-branded strawberries purchased between March 5 and April 25 should not be eaten.

The infected strawberries, which had outlived their shelf life, were sold at retailers nationwide, including Aldi, HEB, Kroger, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Weis Market and WinCo Foods.

Cases of hepatitis A have been reported by consumers in California, Minnesota, and Canada, all of whom bought strawberries before they got sick. At least 17 illnesses and 12 hospitalizations have been reported so far nationwide, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Hepatitis A is a contagious virus that can eventually cause liver disease, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, and pale stools. The infection usually recovers within one to two weeks, although in rare cases it can become chronic.

Strawberries should be discarded if you are not sure which brand they were purchased, or when and where they were purchased, the Food and Drug Administration has recommended. Frozen strawberries should also be discarded.

Anyone who experiences symptoms of hepatitis A after eating strawberries should contact their health care provider.