H-E-B Brand Strawberries Potentially Linked To Hepatitis A Outbreak

H-E-B and FreshKampo brand organic strawberries are potentially linked to a hepatitis A outbreak in the United States and Canada, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced.

The FDA, CDC, Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are urging customers who purchased FreshKampo and H-E-B fresh organic strawberries between March 5 and April 25 of this year and then froze them for later consumption should not eat them because they are a "likely cause of illness in this outbreak."

The FDA said these strawberries were sold at the following retailers: Aldi, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe's, Walmart, Weis Markets and WinCo Foods. "If you are unsure of what brand you purchased, when you purchased your strawberries, or where you purchased them from prior to freezing them, the strawberries should be thrown away," the FDA said.

According to KSAT, H-E-B said strawberries sold at its stores are safe to consume. It has not sold any strawberries from the supplier that's under investigation since April 16. But, anyone who purchased those items during the time period recommended by the FDA should throw them away. H-E-B said there have been no reported illnesses at H-E-B or in Texas.

There have been several cases in California, Minnesota and Canada that report becoming ill after purchasing these strawberries.

If you have purchased and consumed FreshKampo or H-E-B brand fresh organic strawberries between March 5 and April 25 and have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A, the FDA urges you to immediately consult with your healthcare professional to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed. Symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine and pale stool.