2023-06-27 22:50:32
If you only have a few seconds, read these lines about hepatitis A:
There are various pieces of content circulating indicating that several batches of strawberries have been recalled after the FDA opened an investigation into a hepatitis A outbreak. It’s true. The CDC, the disease control agency, has reported 9 cases of hepatitis A associated with outbreaks linked to frozen organic strawberries in California, Oregon and Washington. The FDA advises checking the freezer and discarding the recalled products. If you have eaten these strawberries and you are not vaccinated against hepatitis A, it is advisable that you consult a health professional as soon as possible.
Content circulates on social networks indicating that various batches of frozen strawberries have been recalled due to a hepatitis A outbreak. Something for which we have also been asked since 2PuntosPlatformhalf ally of factchecked. Well then, it’s true.
On January 3, 2023, the FDA, in charge of the control of medicines and food, opened an investigation into an outbreak of hepatitis A in frozen organic strawberries. The investigation is ongoing and some companies Several lots have been withdrawn from the market. to avoid “possible health risks”, according to a statement published by the agency in February 2023 and updated on June 23. We explain how to know if you have purchased any of the affected products and what to do in that case.
What do we know about the strawberries withdrawn from the market?
Until June 14, 2023, the CDCagency responsible for disease control, have reported 9 cases of hepatitis A in California, Oregon and Washington. So far, 3 people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
Hepatitis A cases associated with these outbreaks. Source: CDC.
Those affected fell ill between November 24, 2022 and April 12, 2023. “The epidemiological and tracing evidence indicates that frozen organic strawberries are the likely source of this outbreak”, the CDC states.
The strawberries in question, grown in Mexico, can be stored between 18 months and 2 years -is the period from when they are sold until they expire-. This is indicated by the FDA, which advises checking the freezer and, in the case of having any of the products withdrawn, discard them. The CDC also recommend not to “eat, serve or sell” these strawberries.
The FDA says it has worked with the affected companies to ensure that any potentially contaminated products are withdrawn from the market. Despite this, it is possible that some people bought these strawberries when they were still on sale.
To find out if you have a product at home that belongs to the batches withdrawn from the market, you have to check lot code -which is usually made up of numbers and letters- and expiration date. This information is usually printed on the back of each bag.
Example of the lot code and expiration date on one of the recalled products. Source: FDA.
What lots have been withdrawn from the market?
Scenic Fruit Company announced on March 16, 2023 the recall of several lots sold to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, PCC Community Markets, and Trader Joe’s. Among the affected brands are Simply Nature o Vital Choice. In this link it is possible to consult a table in which the codes of the affected batches appear.
Wawona Frozen Foods announced on June 8, 2023 the recall of several packages of its organic mix DayBreakdistributed in 2022 to Costco Wholesale stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah and Washington. In this link you can check the codes of the withdrawn batches and their expiration dates.
California Splendor also announced that day the recall of several bags of the brand Kirkland, distributed by Costco in Los Angeles, Hawaii and 2 shopping centers in San Diego. “Although hepatitis A has not been detected in this product, out of an abundance of caution, consumers should stop consuming the food and return it to their local Costco store for a refund,” the company explains. Here you can check the lots withdrawn.
La Willamette Valley Fruit Company announced on June 12, 2023 the voluntary recall of some frozen strawberries sold at Walmart, Costco, and HEB brands Rader Farms y Great Value. Some of these products have been distributed in more than 30 states. Lot codes and expiration dates of recalled products can be found here.
Some of the products that have been withdrawn from the market. Credit: FDA.
What is hepatitis A and why can it appear in food?
Hepatitis A is an infection that causes inflammation and damage to the liver caused by the virus of the same name (HAV). Unlike hepatitis B and C, it does not cause chronic disease and is rarely fatal, according to details the World Health Organization (WHO). Most patients recover and also acquire immunity against this disease for life.
He risk of infection from hepatitis A is associated with ingesting contaminated food or water or unsanitary (for example, that have been in contact with sewage), poor sanitation, poor hygiene personal and oral sex.
The disease usually occurs within 15 and 50 days after eating or drinking contaminated food or wateraccording to the CDC. Between his symptoms, the WHO mentions fever, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark colored urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). “In some cases, particularly in children under the age of six, hepatitis A infection may be asymptomatic,” the CDC notes.
What to do if you have eaten the strawberries withdrawn from the market?
If you have eaten these recalled frozen organic strawberries in the past 14 days and you are not vaccinated against hepatitis A, the CDC advises that communicate with you local health department the medical care provider.
Thus, a specialist will assess whether you need the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). If you have never been vaccinated against hepatitis A, receiving a single dose within two weeks of exposure may protect you against the disease.
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