Strawberries Sold At PA Walmart Stores Recalled Due To Hepatitis Risk

PENNSYLVANIA — An Oregon fruit company is recalling some packages of frozen fruit containing strawberries grown in Mexico and sold in Pennsylvania Walmart stores because of a potential Hepatitis A contamination, according to a safety recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration website.

No illnesses have been reported.

The affected products sold at Walmart stores in 31 states, including Pennsylvania, are frozen Great Value Sliced Strawberries, Great Value Mixed Fruit and Great Value Antioxidant Blend.

The sliced strawberries and mixed fruit were sold in 64-ounce bags (four pounds), and the antioxidant blend is packaged in a 40-ounce bag according to health officials.

The affected products were distributed between Jan. 24-June 8 and originated from Willamette Valley Fruit Co. Specific lot numbers and other information about the recall can be found on the FDA website.

Consumers are urged to check their freezers for the recalled product and either discard it or return it to the store for a refund. Products that have different lot codes or purchase dates aren’t affected by the recall.

Packages of Rader Farms Organic Fresh Start Smoothie Blend distributed to Costco Wholesale stores in Arizona, California, Colorado and Texas from Oct. 3, 2022, to June 8 were also recalled.
Packages of Rader Farms Organic Berry distributed to HEB stores in Texas from July 18, 2022-June 8 are also included in the recall.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from mild illnesses that last only a few weeks to more serious illnesses that can last several months.

Illnesses generally occur within 15 to 50 days after exposures. Symptoms include fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool.

People with preexisting or immunodeficiency illnesses are at heightened risk of liver failure.

Anyone who ate any of the recalled products should contact their family doctor or local health department to determine if a vaccination is appropriate. Anyone showing symptoms of Hepatitis A should seek treatment.

Patch's national desk contributed to this report.