Strawberry Linked Hepatitis Outbreak Impacts Midwest States

The Food and Drug Association is working alongside groups as they investigate a multi-state outbreak of hepatitis A that is linked to strawberries.

Ten people in Canada and 17 people in the United States have contracted hepatitis A from strawberries distributed between the two countries. In the United States, 15 of these cases are in California and then there is one in Minnesota and North Dakota.

The strawberries that are being linked to the outbreak are fresh organic strawberries with the brands FreshKampo and HEB. The strawberries were purchased between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022.

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While these strawberries are currently past shelf life, the FDA is urging people that purchased FreshKampo and HEB strawberries during this time and then froze them to throw them away.

If consumers purchased fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo or HEB between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022, ate those berries in the last two weeks, and have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A, they should immediately consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed.

Places the strawberries were sold were:

• Aldi
• HEB
• Kroger
• Safeway
• Sprouts Farmers Market
• Trader Joe’s
• Walmart
• Weis Markets
• WinCo Foods

The investigation is ongoing and more information will be provided when available.

In a statement from HEB, the company says the strawberries they sell are safe.

The FDA is conducting an investigation into organic strawberries sold between March 5 and April 25, 2022. H-E-B has not received or sold organic strawberries from the supplier under investigation since April 16.