In recent years, multiple recalls have been issued for berries due to Hepatitis A. The biggest outbreak was in 2013, when 162 people were infected after eating Townsend Farms organic frozen berries.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting frozen berry induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Hepatitis A after eating berries, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: Frozen Strawberries & Frozen Fruit Recalled for Hepatitis A
In June 2023, frozen strawberries and several frozen fruit products were recalled at Costco, HEB, and Walmart due to a risk of Hepatitis A contamination. The products include:
- Rader Farms® Organic Fresh Start Smoothie Blend (Costco Wholesale Stores)
- Great Value® Sliced Strawberries (Walmart)
- Great Value® Mixed Fruit (Walmart)
- Great Value® Antioxidant Blend (Walmart)
- Rader Farms® Organic Berry Trio (HEB)
Frozen Strawberries Infect 9 People With Hepatitis A
At least 9 people were infected in an outbreak of Hepatitis A after eating frozen strawberries that were grown in Mexico. Illnesses were reported in Washington, California, and Oregon between November 2022 and April 2023.
In response, frozen strawberries were recalled by California Splendor, Inc. for certain lots of 4-lb. bags of Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries that were sold at Costco.
Scenic Fruit Company also voluntarily recalled frozen organic strawberries that were sold at Costco, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets in certain states.
Restaurant Depot Recalls Frozen Raspberries
In December 2022, Restaurant Depot / Jetro stores in 9 states recalled James Farm® frozen red raspberries after a bag tested positive for Hepatitis A. No illnesses were reported. The raspberries were grown in Chile, imported by Exportadora Copramar, and marked with a Best-By Date of June 14th, 2024.
FreshKampo® and HEB® Strawberries Linked to Hepatitis A Outbreak
In May 2022, dozens of Hepatitis A illnesses in the U.S. and Canada were linked to fresh organic strawberries that were sold under that FreshKampo® and HEB® brand-names. As of mid-April 2022, at least 17 people in the U.S. and 10 people in Canada were infected with Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked to Blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
In November 2019, an outbreak of Hepatitis A was tracked to fresh blackberries that were sold at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in the Midwest. At least 11 people were infected, including 6 people who were hospitalized, according to the CDC outbreak investigation. The blackberries were sold between September 9 and September 20, 2019 at Fresh Thyme Market Stores in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Click here to read more.
Aldi and Raley’s Recall Frozen Raspberries
in November 2019, Wawona Frozen Foods issued recalled frozen raspberries sold at Aldi and Raley’s grocery stores nationwide due to a risk of Hepatitis A. No illnesses were reported. Aldi recalled store-brand Season’s Choice Raspberries and Season’s Choice Berry Medley containing raspberries. The recall also involves Raley’s Fresh Frozen Red Raspberries.
Costco Recalls Frozen Berries in California and Hawaii
On June 11, 2019, Costco recalled Kirkland Signature Three Berry Blend due to a risk of Hepatitis A contamination. The recalled product was only sold at Costco stores in San Diego and Los Angeles, California and Hawaii. It has a “Best By” date February 16, 2020, and May 4, 2020.
Kroger Recalls Frozen Berries for Hepatitis A Risk
In June 2019, Kroger Co. has announced a recall for Private Selection® Triple Berry Medley and Frozen Blackberries after the FDA reported that a sample of frozen berries tested positive for Hepatitis A. No illnesses have been reported to date.
Kroger recalled the following products, which were sold nationwide:
- Private Selection® Frozen Triple Berry Medley (48-ounces) — BEST BY: 07-07-20; UPC: 0001111079120
- Private Selection® Frozen Triple Berry Medley (16-ounces) — BEST BY: 06-19-20; UPC: 0001111087808
- Private Selection® Frozen Blackberries (16-ounces) — BEST BY: 06-19-20, 07-02-20; UPC: 0001111087809
The recalled frozen berries were sold nationwide at Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Dillons, Smith’s, King Soopers, Fry’s, QFC, City Market, Owen’s, Jay C, Pay Less, Baker’s, Gerbes, Harris Teeter, Pick ‘n Save, Copps, Metro Market, and Mariano’s.
What is the Problem?
Kroger said the recalled berries were “manufactured” by Townsend Farms. In 2013, another major recall was issued for frozen berries from Townsend Farms after 165 people in 10 states were infected with Hepatitis A.
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a virus that causes a contagious liver disease. Infections can be a mild illness lasting a few weeks, or a serious illness that lasts several months and requires hospitalization. Hepatitis A infections can potentially progress to liver failure or death.
What Are Symptoms of Hepatitis A?
Anyone who ate the recalled frozen berries should be vigilant for symptoms of Hepatitis A for up to 50 days afterward. The symptoms may include fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool. Most children under 6 years old do not have symptoms.
Do I have a Hepatitis A Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting frozen berry induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Hepatitis A after eating Private Selection® Triple Berry Medley or Frozen Blackberries, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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