Scenic Fruit Company Recalls Organic Frozen Strawberries, Organic Frozen Tropical Fruit Blend Due to Hepatitis A Outbreak - 3/20/23

Company Announcement Date: March 16, 2023
FDA Publish Date: March 17, 2023
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Hepatitis A
Company Name: Scenic Fruit Company
Brand Name: Simply Nature, Vital Choice, and others
Product Description: Frozen Organic Strawberries and fruit blend

Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon, is recalling frozen Organic Strawberries sold to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets as well as frozen Organic Tropical Fruit Blend sold to Trader Joe’s due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A illnesses.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. In rare cases, particularly consumers who have a pre-existing severe illness or are immune-compromised, Hepatitis A infection can progress to liver failure.

Illness occurs within 15-50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine, and pale stool. Hepatitis A vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure to a contaminated food. Persons who may have consumed affected product should consult with their health care professional or local health department to determine if a vaccination is appropriate, and consumers with symptoms of Hepatitis A should contact their health care professionals or the local health department immediately.

The following products are subject to this recall. The lot codes and best by dates are found on the back of each bag:

Simple Nature

  • Product Name: Organic Strawberries
  • Net Weight: 24 oz.
  • UPC: 4099100256222
  • Best By Date: June 14, 2024
  • States Distributed: California, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin

Vital Choice

  • Product Name: Organic Strawberries
  • Net Weight: 16 oz.
  • UPC: 834297005024
  • Best By Date: May 20, 2024
  • State Distributed: Washington

Kirkland Signature (Costco)

  • Product Name: Organic Strawberries
  • Net Weight: 4 lbs.
  • UPC: 96619140404
  • Best By Date: Oct. 8, 2024
  • States Distributed: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington

Made With

  • Product Name: Organic Strawberries
  • Net Weight: 10 oz.
  • UPC: 814343021390
  • Best By Date: Nov. 20, 2024
  • States Distributed: Illinois, Maryland

PCC Community Markets

  • Product Name: Organic Strawberries
  • Net Weight: 32 oz.
  • UPC: 22827109469
  • Best By Dates: Oct. 29, 2024
  • State Distributed: Washington

Trader Joe’s

  • Product Name: Organic Tropical Fruit Blend – Pineapple, Strawberries & Mango
  • Net Weight: 16 oz.
  • UPC: 00511919
  • Best By Dates: April 25, 2024 / May 12, 2024 / May 23, 2024 / May 30, 2024 / June 7, 2024
  • States Distributed: Nationwide

Although Hepatitis A has not been detected on this product, out of an abundance of caution, consumers should stop consuming the product and return it to their local store for a refund. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

All inventories of the affected lot should be removed from sale. Consumers who have purchased the products are urged to destroy or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at customer.service@scenicfruit.com. View photos of products on the FDA website.

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*We believe that none of the product being recalled were processed or offered through the national office
*We strongly encourage you to notify your agencies within one business day from receipt of this notice.
*ALL cased and uncased inventories, both at the member level and agency level, need to be checked. This product may have entered member and agency warehouses through salvage, local donations, TEFAP, local purchases, retail pickups, food drives, or other avenues.
*For additional local details, please contact the Health Department(s) for the area(s) your food bank serves.
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About Feeding America Recall Notices

The Feeding America national office issues notifications of all national Class I and II recalls–those involving a health hazard situation in which there is reasonable probability that eating the food will cause health problems or death–and other recalls that may affect the safety of food supplied to network members.

The national office strongly encourages all member product solicitors, operations managers, and others involved in food and grocery distribution to regularly consult resources provided by the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Additionally, members can often receive information on national, state, and local recalls by contacting their local health departments.

 

Feeding America National Office
Feeding America
161 N. Clark, Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60601