- FreshKampo and H-E-B brand strawberries causing hepatitis in Minnesota, California and Canada
- 17 illnesses and 12 hospitalizations reported in the U.S.
- Hepatitis A is a virus that can cause liver disease and, in rare cases, liver failure and death.
In a joint weekend statement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Public Health Agency of Canada said illnesses in Minnesota, California and Canada occurred after people consumed FreshKampo and H-E-B brand strawberries, says an article published in The Sacramento Bee.
U.S. and Canadian Regulators Investigating Hepatitis Outbreak
People are falling sick in Minnesota, California and Canada after consuming FreshKampoo and H-EB brand strawberries, the US Food and Drug Administration said in a joint statement.
Strawberries that are purchased between March 5 and April 25 were the ones that caused illness among people in the respective areas. These strawberries were sold at various U.S. retailers including, Aldi, Kroger, Safeway, Walmart and Trader Joe’s.
Strawberries Sold Past Shelf Life
The strawberries were sold past their shelf life. Strawberries also carry a parasite called cyclospora, says Levy, which causes diarrhoea, vomiting, bloating, and other nasty flu-like symptoms, which caused illness among the people.
There have been 17 illnesses and 12 hospitalizations reported in the U.S., the FDA said. Ten cases and four hospitalizations have been reported in Canada.
Mexico Based FreshKampo Working with Regulators
FreshKampo said the label on the containers of potentially affected strawberries would have said “Product of Mexico” or “Distributed by Meridien Foods.”
Texas grocer H-E-B said in a statement that it has not received or sold organic strawberries from suppliers since April 16. H-E-B also advised people to throw away the strawberries or return them to the stores where they were purchased.
What is Hepatitis A ?
Hepatitis A is a virus that can cause liver disease and, in rare cases, liver failure and death in some cases. Symptoms start appearing after 15-50 days of consumption of contaminated food and water. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and jaundice.
Consumers who ate the potentially affected berries in the last two weeks and have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A should immediately consult with a physician, the FDA said.
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Source: The Sacramento Bee
