Strawberries Sold At VA Walmart Stores Recalled Due To Hepatitis Risk

VIRGINIA — An Oregon fruit company is recalling some packages of frozen fruit containing strawberries grown in Mexico and sold in Virginia 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. Affected frozen strawberries or strawberry blends marked "product of Mexico" are part of the recall.

The affected products sold at Walmart stores in 31 states, including Virginia, are Great Value Sliced Strawberries, Great Value Mixed Fruit and Great Value Antioxidant Blend. The affected products were distributed between Jan. 24-June 8.

Affected lot numbers for the Great Value 64-ounce Sliced Strawberries are 4018305 and 4019305, with "best by" dates of July 19 and 20, 2024.

Affected Great Value Mixed Fruit 64-ounce packages have the lot numbers 4024205, 4025305, 4032305, 4033305, 4034305 and 4035305. "Best by" dates are July 25 and 26, and Aug. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Lot number for the affected 40-ounce packages of Great Value Antioxidant Blend is 4032305, with a "best by" date of Aug. 2.

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.

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.

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 medical treatment.