Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked to Frozen Strawberries Sold at Costco, Trader Joe’s and Aldi
Updated: Mar. 22, 2023It's time to check your freezer.
After last year’s Jif peanut butter recall that resulted in a recall of products made with Jif, we were hoping things would quiet down for a bit. Unfortunately, if you love to combine fruit or homemade jelly with your peanut butter, you may have cause for concern.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced recently that they’re investigating frozen strawberries in connection with an outbreak of hepatitis A. Here’s what you need to know.
What Caused the Investigation?
According to the announcement, the strawberries have potentially been linked to an outbreak of hepatitis A, a virus that can cause liver disease. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began the investigation after five people in Washington State were diagnosed with the infection. Two people are currently hospitalized. In all five cases, the CDC found that the individuals had eaten frozen strawberries imported from farms in Baja Mexico in 2022. This news comes on the heels of a fresh strawberry infection last year, in which 12 people were diagnosed with hepatitis A from organic strawberries imported from Mexico.
Hepatitis A is a hardy virus, meaning that it can survive being frozen. It can also survive for hours on human hands and other surfaces. The symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine and pale stool. Symptoms can set in anywhere from 15-50 days from exposure.
How Do I Know If I Bought an Affected Product?
The affected organic strawberries were sold under the brand names California Splendor and Scenic Fruit. These frozen berries have “best by” dates that range from April to November 2024 and have been sold at numerous grocery stores. The stores distributing the fresh berries include but are not limited to:
- Costco (especially in Los Angeles, San Diego and Hawaii)
- Trader Joe’s
- Aldi
- KeHE
- Vital Choice Seafood
- PCC Community Markets
For more details, be sure to check out the official FDA site. Note that this is not an exhaustive list, and it is being consistently updated as new information arises.
Additionally, even if your berries aren’t affected, don’t make these mistakes with summer berries.
What Should I Do If I Bought an Affected Product?
If you have any of these organic strawberries in your freezer right now, the FDA advises you to throw them away immediately or return them to the store where you purchased them for a refund.
And if you’ve consumed the strawberries in the past two weeks, and haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis A, contact your healthcare provider to see if you need a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This vaccination can help prevent a hepatitis A infection if given within 14 days of consumption. If you have proof that you have already had hepatitis A or have been vaccinated, a PEP is not needed. If you have any symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Our Favorite Blackberry Recipes
Blackberry Crisp
I adapted this comforting dessert from a recipe my mother-in-law gave to me. Hers fed a family with nine growing kids who were never full, so there was never any left. There aren't any leftovers when I make my downsized version, either! —Marliss Lee, Independence, Missouri
Blackberry Apple Pie
My mother made this pie so often, she could do it with her eyes closed! We picked the berries ourselves, and the apples came from the trees in our orchard. I can still taste the delicious combination of fruits encased in Mother's flaky pie crust. —Fran Stanfield, Wilmington , Ohio
Blackberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Cups
I read that white chocolate intensifies the flavor of blackberries. It's true! The crunch of baking chips, the blackberry puree, and the sweet and salty pretzel crust make this a sensational mini dessert. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Berry-Beet Salad
Here's a delightfully different salad that balances the earthy flavor of beets with the natural sweetness of berries. If you prefer, substitute crumbled feta for the goat cheese. —Amy Lyons, Mounds View, Minnesota
Midnight Cocktails
This variation on a mojito uses blackberry spreadable fruit, which gives it a deep purple color and adds a bit of sweetness to every sip. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Humble Bumble Crumble Bars
While developing a treat for my bingo group, I asked my husband for ideas. He suggested a fruity bar. This berry bar is lightly sweet and so easy. —Nancy Phillips, Portland, Maine
Berry Whirligig
Blackberries are an Oregon treasure. We love to go out and pick our own. Whatever we don’t eat fresh, we freeze to enjoy whenever we start dreaming of this irresistible treat. —Pearl Stanford, Medford, Oregon
Blackberry-Sauced Pork Chops
My family loved these chops from the first time I fixed them. They're as tasty in a skillet as they are grilled, so you can eat them all year long. The sauce is also fantastic with chicken. —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
Blueberry-Blackberry Rustic Tart
My dad would always stop our car on the side of the road in Maine and say, "I smell blueberries." He had a pail ready. Then Mom would bake the wild berries in a cornmeal crust to make this homey tart. —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
Blackberry Apple Jelly
August is the busiest month of the year on our small farm—that's when we're harvesting sweet corn, pumpkins and pickling cucumbers for our stand. But I always make time to put up this jelly. The apples come from our old-fashioned orchard, while the blackberries grow wild along our creek...and the jelly's usually gone by January! —Liz Endacott, Matsqui, British Columbia
Blackberry Frozen Yogurt
You could also use boysenberries, raspberries or strawberries for this delicious dessert. — Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Pork Tenderloin with Three-Berry Salsa
My husband came home from a work meeting that had served pork with a spicy blueberry salsa. He was amazed at how tasty it was, so I came up with my own rendition without seeing or tasting what he had. It took several tries, but this is the delicious result. —Angie Phillips, Tarzana, California
Cookies 'n' Cream Berry Desserts
This sweet berry dessert makes an especially pretty final course in the spring. With berries, a creamy topping and a sprinkle of meringue cookies, it always earns praise. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Blackberry Beer Cocktail
This refreshing hard lemonade has a mild alcohol flavor; the beer adds just enough fizz to dance on your tongue as you sip. Sorry, adults only! —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
Wild Berry Freezer Jam
One year, I decided I wanted to make a wild berry jam but couldn't find a recipe, so I invented my own. — Barbara Hohmann, Petawawa, Ontario
Lemon-Berry Shortcake
This simple lemon shortcake is tender and not overly sweet. Enjoy this summertime classic with a generous layer of whipped topping and berries. —Meryl Herr, Overland Park, Kansas
Double-Berry Quick Bread
Healthy, fast and easy! This bread is a favorite of mine when prep time is tight and I have small amounts of different kinds of berries to use up. — Jennifer Coduto, Kent, Ohio
Rise and Shine Parfait
Start your day with a smile. This fruit, yogurt and granola parfait is so easy to make. If you like, use whatever favorite fresh fruits are in season and are looking best at the supermarket. —Diana Laskaris, Chicago, Illinois
Avocado Fruit Salad with Tangerine Vinaigrette
On long summer days when we just want to relax, I make a cool salad with avocado, berries and mint. The tangerine dressing is refreshingly different. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio
Berries & Cream Bruschetta
Sweet and satisfying, this bruschetta proves that cream cheese belongs on more than just bagels. The topping is delicious on morning toast, too—if you can keep it around that long. —Debbie Limas, North Andover, Massachusetts
Four-Berry Spinach Salad
Nature's candy abounds in the berry-filled salad. The slightly tart dressing contrasts deliciously with the sweet in-season fruit. —Betty Lise Anderson, Gahanna, Ohio
Berry-Apple-Rhubarb Pie
I make this family favorite every year for a gathering at my sister's, where the recipe is known as "Uncle Mike's pie." I use only fresh berries, apples and rhubarb that I grow myself. —Michael Powers, New Baltimore, Virginia
Fresh Blackberry Pie
I grew up on a farm, and we always picked fruits in early summer and used them to make desserts. This blackberry pie recipe is a real stunner. —Gladys Gibbs, Brush Creek, Tennessee
Blackberry Cheesecake Bars
Sugar cookie dough is a speedy way to turn ricotta and mascarpone cheeses topped with blackberries into beautiful bars. — Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
Berry Granola Pancakes
My son and I like to make this breakfast favorite together. You can leave the berries out of the mix and sprinkle them on top, or sub in chocolate chips or nuts instead. —Elizabeth Stewart, Crab Orchard, West Virginia
Berry BBQ Sauce
On weekends, I jazz up our favorite BBQ sauce with berries. This blackberry-blueberry BBQ sauce makes a marvelous spread for basting and saucing grilled baby back ribs. —Janet Hix, Austin, Texas
Honey-Yogurt Berry Salad
I wanted my family to eat more fruit but not more sugary ingredients. This berry salad lets you play with different low-fat yogurts and fruits. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Arugula Salad with Berry Dressing
My family enjoys this refreshing salad during the spring and summer months. Sweet strawberries balance the slightly tart balsamic dressing. —Jennifer Kunz, Troy, Michigan
Mixed Berry Sangria
This is a light, tasty beverage to serve with spoons so everyone can enjoy the fresh berries once the sangria is gone. — Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois
Blackberry Nectarine Pie
Blackberries are a big crop in my area, so I've prepared this pretty double-fruit pie many times. I can always tell when my husband wants me to make it because he brings home berries that he picked behind his office. —Linda Chinn, Enumclaw, Washington
Oregon's Best Marionberry Pie
I believe Oregon Marionberries make the best berry pie in the world. And when you add some cream cheese and flavorings, you'll be making the best even better! —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon
Berry Coulis with Dutch Pancakes
My husband makes his mom's crepe-like Dutch pancakes with our kids on Saturdays. I came up with the berry sauce, and the dish is now our brunch standard. —Shannon Koene, Blacksburg, Virginia
Blackberry Lemonade
Here's a special drink that's perfect when blackberries are in season. It has a tangy, refreshing flavor. —Rich Murray, Nevada, Missouri
Four-Berry Spread
For a big berry taste, you can't beat this tasty spread. With a flavorful foursome of blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, this lovely jam brightens any breakfast. —Marie St. Thomas, Sterling, Massachusetts
Black and Blue Cobbler
It never occurred to me that I could bake a cobbler in my slow cooker until I saw some recipes and decided to try to make my favorite fruity dessert. It took a bit of experimenting, but the tasty results are "berry" well worth it. —Martha Creveling, Orlando, Florida
Blackberry-Orange Cake
My grandmother made luscious fruit pies and cobblers using blackberries from her garden. I decided to follow her lead and create a blackberry cake that's always lovely with a summer meal. —Lisa M. Varner, El Paso, Texas
Sweet-Chili Salmon with Blackberries
My garden is often my cooking inspiration. Because I have a large berry patch, I especially enjoy using just-picked berries in savory dishes to add natural sweetness and sometimes a bit of tart. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Curry Chicken with Mixed Berries
The rich flavors of curry and sweet-tart berries marry beautifully in this colorful entree. Its creamy sauce thoroughly coats the tender chicken and rice. —Margaret Welder, Madrid, Iowa
Mixed Berry Sundaes for 2
These delightful yogurt sundaes are an easy way to add fruit and calcium to your diet. Berries star in the dish, which I enjoy as a simple breakfast or healthy dessert for two. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Berry Breakfast Parfaits
Expecting brunch company but short on time? Parfaits are the perfect solution. Feel free to mix and match with whatever berries you have on hand. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
Black & Blue Berry Grunt
If you’re looking for something different from the usual cakes and fruit pies, try this old-fashioned dessert. It features a delicious combination of blackberries and blueberries with homemade dumplings on top. —Kelly Akin, Johnsonville, New York
Maple Blackberry Mojito
This refreshing blackberry cocktail is how you take advantage of prime berry season during the summer months. I've also used other types of fruit, including raspberries, kiwi and strawberries. —Donna Noel, Gray, Maine
Blackberry-Topped Sponge Cakes
The recipe for my blackberry cakes is easy to play with. You can replace the sponge cake with angel food, pound cake or ladyfingers. And any fruit that has liquor with the same flavor can be used. —Karen Robinson, Woodbury, Connecticut
Slow Cooker Spiced Poached Pears
Some of the many reasons I love this dessert recipe are: it's on the healthy side; it's easy to make; the recipe can be mostly prepared in advance of company arriving; and the presentation is lovely.—Jill Mant, Denver, Colorado
Blackberry Brandy Sauce
Fresh ingredients make a rich-tasting blackberry brandy sauce to serve over ice cream, cheesecake, pancakes, angel food cake ... the possibilities are endless, and it makes everything look gorgeous. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Originally Published: March 22, 2021
