Costco Strawberries Are Being Recalled Due To Hepatitis A Related Illnesses
When it comes to Costco, no one can deny that the store's frozen fruit ranks high among shoppers' favorites. In addition to classics like the Kirkland berry blend, strawberries, and pineapple, Costco also sells frozen durian (perhaps better known as one of the world's stinkiest fruits). Frozen fruit is great for buying in bulk, as it lasts a lot longer than fresh fruit, but it also comes with its fair share of dangers. Contrary to popular belief, freezing fruit does not kill off bacteria that may have hitched a ride during harvesting, packaging, or transportation, which is why you need to boil your frozen berries before using them.
Scarily enough, the FDA has found dozens of frozen samples to test positive for Hepatitis A and norovirus over the last several years. The latest in this string is a batch of frozen strawberries from Costco, recalled not for a positive test result, but for safety precautions. Here's everything you need to know about the latest recall and who is affected.
What's the story behind Costco's frozen strawberry recall?
California Splendor, Inc, recalled 13 batches of Costco's Kirkland Signature organic frozen strawberries on March 16, citing a Hepatitis A outbreak as its reason for doing so. According to the FDA's announcement, none of the recalled strawberries have actually tested positive for Hepatitis A, but customers are nonetheless encouraged to return the product to the store for a refund. Batches affected by the recall were sold at Costco's Los Angeles, San Diego, and Hawaii locations, so if you recently shopped at one of those, be sure to check your strawberries' lot number against the FDA's list.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection that can be passed to someone through eating contaminated food or interacting with someone infected. Additionally, a similar recall stretches much further than just California Splendor, Inc, and Costco. According to another FDA statement, Scenic Fruit Company has also recalled organic frozen strawberries (and a tropical fruit blend) due to Hepatitis A concerns. These batches were sold nationwide not only to Costco but also at Aldi and Trader Joe's. Be sure to be careful when purchasing frozen fruit.