Costco and Trader Joe’s are recalling certain frozen fruits due to possible hepatitis A contamination.
The affected fruit is sold by the Scenic Fruit Company, which supplies frozen organic strawberries sold under the Kirkland Signature brand.
Affected products include frozen organic strawberries sold under the Kirkland Signature brand at Costco, as well as frozen “organic tropical fruit mix” from Trader Joe.
Other stores also sell fruit, including Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood and PCC Community Markets.
NBC News reports, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed three cases of hepatitis A, and two other suspects, among people in Washington who reported eating frozen strawberries. Two of these patients required hospitalization, but no deaths were reported.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration’s recall notice, “Hepatitis A is a contagious disease of the liver that results from exposure to the hepatitis A virus, including food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. In rare cases, particularly consumers who have a serious pre-existing disease or who are immunocompromised, hepatitis A infection may progress to liver failure.
“Although hepatitis A has not been detected on this product, as a precaution, consumers should stop consuming the product and return it to their local store for a refund. The company has ceased production and distribution of the product as the FDA and the company continue their investigation into the cause of the issue,” the notice continues. “All inventory of the affected lot should be removed from sale. Consumers who have purchased the products are urged to destroy or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
NBC reports that Scenic Fruit Company said it “has suspended production and distribution of the products in question while it investigates the issue alongside the FDA.”
In a statement posted on its website, Trader Joe’s said “no illnesses have been reported to date and all potentially affected products have been removed from sale and destroyed.”
