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Baja California, food safety, frozen strawberries, hepatitis A, imported food, local food, Mexican food imports, Mexican imports, organic strawberries, seasonal fruit, strawberries, strawberry imports
This is the second year in a row that strawberry farms in Baja California Mexico have been associated with hepatitis outbreaks. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-hepatitis-virus-strawberries-may-2022 It is notable that these were out of season produce-purchases: https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/gallery/chart-detail/?chartId=101156 “Fresh strawberry prices still show a distinct seasonal pattern, despite the expanded geographical and varietal diversity that has smoothed seasonal price effects (particularly since 2000). In most years, strawberry grower prices tend to decrease through the first four months of the year, stabilize at low levels from May through August when supply volumes are at their peak, and rise from September to December. While increasing imports have helped bolster year-round availability of fresh strawberries in the United States, they remain a small, albeit growing, part of U.S. fresh strawberry use, with volume concentrated in the winter and early spring.”https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2014/october/seasonal-fresh-fruit-price-patterns-differ-across-commodities-the-case-of-strawberries-and-apples/
Some of these products are labeled Mexico, but California Splendor sent in blurry pictures, so it’s unclear if they are labeled. Hepatitis A is from poor hygiene in factory or field or possibly use of untreated/improperly treated human manure for fertilizer: “The hepatitis A virus is found in the stool and blood of people who are infected.” https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2023/hav-contaminated-food/index.htm
Two companies did voluntary recalls even though neither found Hepatitis A in their strawberries. The brands that they were sold under and sites are listed at the links: “Although, Hepatitis A has not been detected on this product, out of an abundance of caution, consumers should stop consuming the food and return it to their local… store for a refund.” https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/california-splendor-inc-recalls-kirkland-brand-bags-frozen-organic-whole-strawberries-distributed “Although Hepatitis A has not been detected on this product, out of an abundance of caution, consumers should stop consuming the product and return it to their local store for a refund. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.” https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/updated-scenic-fruit-company-recalls-frozen-organic-strawberries-and-frozen-organic-tropical-blend
While you should return the frozen Mexican strawberries, to reduce the chances of getting Hepatitis A, it’s a good idea to cook all of your food (and boil water): “The hepatitis A virus can survive outside the body for months. Heating food and liquids to temperatures of 185°F (85°C) for at least 1 minute can kill the virus. Exposure to freezing temperatures does not kill the virus.” https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm However, for certain products, like seafood, it may be hard to reach the proper temperature throughout the food. So, there are no guarantees.
Two companies which have recalled products, as of 17 March, were California Splendor, which was acquired by Main Street Capital on April 3, 2018. And family owned Scenic Fruit Company, which has been family owned since 1931.
“29 sickened in US and Canada from Mexico Strawberries with Hepatitis A”
By Jenny Schell on December 12, 2022 https://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/food-poisoning-information/29-sickened-in-us-and-canada-from-mexico-strawberries/
“FDA continues to trace strawberries related to outbreak; other outbreaks still under investigation By News Desk on June 2, 2022 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2022/06/fda-continues-to-trace-strawberries-related-to-outbreak-other-outbreaks-still-under-investigation/
“CDC and CFIA report 28 Hepatitis A Illnesses due to FreshKampo and HEB Strawberries” By Drew Falkenstein on June 23, 2022 https://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/food-poisoning-information/cdc-and-cfia-report-28-hepatitis-a-illnesses-due-to-freshkampo-and-heb-strawberries/
The CDC is refusing to name the farm and supplier, which is wrong. Don’t eat Mexican strawberries until the source is identified.
“CDC, state public health and regulatory officials, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico, by a common supplier. Frozen organic strawberries may be sold to a variety of retailers under multiple brand labels. Traceback and epidemiological investigations show that people with outbreak-associated cases in Washington purchased the same retail brand of frozen organic strawberries prior to becoming ill.
As of March 13, 2023, a total of 5 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A have been reported from 1 state.
Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 24, 2022, to December 27, 2022. Ill people range in age from 38 to 61 years, with a median age of 52 years. Forty percent of ill people are female. Of 5 people with available information, 2 (40%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Investigation of the Outbreak
Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that frozen organic strawberries, imported fresh from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico in 2022, are the likely source of this outbreak. The hepatitis A virus strain causing illnesses in this outbreak is genetically identical to the strain that caused a foodborne hepatitis A outbreak in 2022, which was linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico, and sold at various retailers.
In interviews, ill people answered questions about the foods they ate and other exposures in the 2 to 7 weeks before they became ill. Of people who were interviewed, all of them reported eating frozen organic strawberries. This proportion was significantly higher than results from a survey of healthy people in which 24% reported eating frozen berries in the week before they were interviewed.
* Reported cases: 5
* States: 1
* Hospitalizations: 2
* Deaths: 0
CDC recommends that people who purchased recalled frozen organic strawberries should not eat, serve, or sell these recalled frozen organic strawberries.
* Check your freezer for these recalled frozen organic strawberries and return or throw away any remaining product.
* If you have eaten these recalled frozen organic strawberries within the last 14 days and are not vaccinated against hepatitis A, contact your local health department
or health care provider to discuss postexposure prophylaxis (hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin). Getting postexposure prophylaxis within 14 days of exposure can help prevent illness.
* As of March 13, 2023, there are:
* 5 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A reported from 1 state (Washington).
* Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 24, 2022, to December 27, 2022.
* 2 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that frozen organic strawberries are the likely source of this outbreak.
* In interviews, all people reported eating frozen organic strawberries.
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2023/hav-contaminated-food/index.htm
“As of March 20, 2023, there are:
* 5 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A reported from 1 state (Washington).
* Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 24, 2022, to December 27, 2022.
* 2 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
* Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that frozen organic strawberries are the likely source of this outbreak.
* In interviews, all people reported eating frozen organic strawberries”.
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2023/hav-contaminated-food/index.htm
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