FALLEN FRUIT

FDA Probing Organic Strawberries in Connection With Hepatitis A Outbreak

The potentially tainted strawberries were sold at several large chains, including Trader Joe’s and Walmart.

The Food and Drug Administration is investigating two brands of organic strawberries in connection with an outbreak of hepatitis A, a contagious virus that is generally mild but can cause liver disease in severe cases. In a statement, the FDA said the strawberries were sold at several large retailers, including Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Aldi, Kroger, and Safeway. The potentially tainted fruit, which is past its shelf life, carried a FreshKampo or H-E-B label, the agency said. H-E-B said in a statement on its website that its strawberries are safe to consume. The agency, however, is advising anyone who bought either brand between March 5 and April 25 and froze the strawberries to dispose of the fruit immediately. So far, 17 people in California, Minnesota, and Canada have fallen ill, and 12 have been hospitalized.