Frozen fruit exported to US from Mexico recalled in 32 states over fears it may contain hepatitis A

Frozen strawberry products exported from Mexico to the United States have been recalled in 32 states due to possible hepatitis A contamination.

Oregon-based Willamette Valley Fruit Company has voluntarily recalled selected packages of its frozen strawberries and frozen fruit mix containing strawberries, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The products were sold under the name Great Value, Walmart’s retail brand, Rader Farms Organic Fresh State Smoothie Blend at Costco and Rader Farms Organic Berry Trio at HEB.

The FDA said no illnesses have been reported from this recall to date.

The agency urged consumers to check their freezers for recalled products and return or dispose of them. Products with different lot codes or purchase dates are not affected by the recall.

High Value Strawberries, High Value Mixed Fruit, and High Value Antioxidant Blend were distributed in several states, including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio and Texas.

High Value Strawberries, High Value Mixed Fruit and High Value Antioxidant Blend were distributed in several states, including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio and Texas.

Products at Walmart were sold between January 24, 2023 and June 8, 2023.

Rader Farms Organic Fresh Start Smoothie Blend was sold at Costco stores in Arizona, California, Colorado and Texas.

These products were sold between October 3, 2022 and June 8, 2023.

Rader Farms Organic Berry Trio was distributed in HEB stores in Texas.

These were sold between July 18, 2022 and June 8, 2023.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious viral liver disease.

Rader Farms Organic Berry Trio was distributed in HEB stores in Texas

Rader Farms Organic Fresh Start Smoothie Blend was sold at Costco stores in Arizona, California, Colorado and Texas

It is mainly spread when a person who has not been vaccinated ingests food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person.

The virus is one of the most common causes of foodborne infections.

Not everyone with hepatitis A develops symptoms, but those who do usually experience them a few weeks after getting the virus.

Symptoms, said the Mayo clinicinclude unusual tiredness or weakness, sudden nausea and vomiting or diarrhea, abdominal pain, clay and gray-colored stools, loss of appetite, mild fever, dark urine, joint pain, jaundice, and intense itching.

Anyone who has not been vaccinated or has never been infected with the hepatitis A virus is at risk.

Other risk factors include poor sanitation, lack of clean water, recreational drug use, living with or having sexual relations with an infected person, and traveling to high-risk areas while unvaccinated.

Mild cases require no treatment and most infected people recover without permanent liver damage. However, it can sometimes lead to serious illness.

In March, Trader Joe’s issued a similar recall of a fruit product containing strawberries due to possible hepatitis A contamination.

And in December, frozen raspberries sold in nine states were recalled due to traces of the hepatitis virus.