Frozen Fruit Sold at Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Other Stores Linked to Hepatitis A Outbreak

Organic frozen strawberries are the likely culprit and have been recalled, the CDC says

Trisha Calvo, Consumer Reports Deputy Editor, Health & Food.

By Trisha Calvo
Deputy Editor, Health & Food

Published March 18, 2023·Updated March 21, 2023

From left: Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberries 4 lbs. and Trader Joe's Organic Tropical Fruit
Blend Pineapple, Bananas, Strawberries & Mango 16 oz

Five people have become ill from Hepatitis A, likely due to consuming frozen organic strawberries grown in Baja California, Mexico, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As a result, a variety of brands of frozen organic strawberries sold at Costco and other retailers (see below) have been recalled by the suppliers, Scenic Fruit Co. and California Splendor, Inc. The recall also includes a frozen tropical fruit mix sold at Trader Joe’s that contains strawberries.

Although the products should no longer be on store shelves, they have “best buy” dates through November 2024, and may still be in consumers’ freezers. Both Scenic Fruit and California Splendor have stopped producing and distributing the strawberries while the investigation continues. Neither company responded to Consumer Reports’ request for comment.

None of the strawberries have tested positive for Hepatitis A, but all five of the people with the virus reported having eaten frozen strawberries.

Consumers should check their freezers for the following products:
• Kirkland Signature (Costco) Organic Strawberries, 4-pound bags. UPC: 96619140404; Best by: 10/8/2024. Lot code: 140962-08; Best by 4/6/24. Lot code: 142162-20; Best by: 8/4/2024. Lot code: 142202-21; Best by: 8/8/2024. Lot code: 142212-22; Best by: 8/9/2024. Lot code: 142222-23; Best by: 8/10/2024; Lot code: 142232-24; Best by: 8/11/2024. Lot code: 142782-53; Best by: 10/5/2024. Lot code: 142842-55; Best by: 10/5/2024. Lot code: 142792-54; Best by: 10/6/2024. Lot code: 142862-57; Best by: 10/13/2024. Lot code: 142852-56; Best by: 10/13/2024. Lot code: 142902-58; Best by: 10/17/2024. Lot code: 142912-59; Best by: 10/18/2024.

• Made With Organic Strawberries, 10-ounce bags. UPC: 814343021390; Best by: 11/20/2024.

• PCC Community Markets Organic Strawberries, 32-ounce bags. UPC: 22827109469; Best by: 10/29/2024.

• Simply Nature Organic Strawberries, 24-ounce bags. UPC: 4099100256222; Best by: 6/14/2024.

• Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend, 16-ounce bags. UPC: 00511919; Best by: 4/25/2024, 5/12/2024, 5/23/2024, 5/30/2024, 6/07/2024.

• Vital Choice Organic Strawberries, 16-ounce bags. UPC: 834297005024; Best by: 5/20/2024.

The products were sold at Aldi, Costco, KeHe, PCC Community Markets, Trader Joe’s, and Vital Choice Seafood.

The FDA says that more products or stores could be identified in the future.

If you have these products in your freezer, don’t eat them. “One problem with frozen berries is that they’re usually eaten raw in smoothies and other dishes,” says James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety testing and research at Consumer Reports. “Cooking will kill Hepatitis A, but it’s not a good idea to try to salvage your berries by cooking them when you know there’s a chance that they could be contaminated.” Throw them away, or return them to the store where you bought them for a refund.

Consumers with questions can contact Scenic Fruit Co. at customer.service@scenicfruit.com and 888-943-4212 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Contact California Splendor Inc. at consumerinformation@calsplendor.com.

The Risks of Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a virus that causes liver inflammation. It’s contagious and can be spread person to person through close contact, but also through contaminated food or water. The symptoms include fever, fatigue, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, light stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and joint pain.

Not everyone experiences symptoms, and adults are more likely to have them than children, according to the CDC. When symptoms do develop, it’s usually two to seven weeks after infection. The illness can last several months, but most people recover without liver damage. However, in some people, particularly the elderly and those with a compromised immune system, Hepatitis A can lead to liver failure and death.

What If You Ate These Berries Already?

People who have been vaccinated against Hepatitis A should be protected. If you aren’t vaccinated and ate the berries within the past 14 days, the CDC advises contacting your doctor or local health department to see if a vaccine would be helpful. When given within two weeks of infection, the vaccine can prevent illness. And if you have symptoms or are concerned, see your doctor.

Editor’s Note: This article, originally published on March 18, 2023, has been updated with lot codes and best by dates for the Kirkland strawberries from California Splendor, Inc. involved in this recall.

Trisha Calvo

Trisha Calvo has been the deputy editor for health and food at Consumer Reports since 2013, focusing on nutrition and food safety, frequently editing food safety investigations. Previously, she was an executive editor at Rodale Books and the executive editor at Shape magazine. You’ll often find her in her kitchen creating deliciously healthy dishes.