Current Update
September 15, 2023
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated an outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico. FDA’s traceback investigation identified a common supplier of organic strawberries. Strawberries used by this supplier were imported from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico, in 2022. Additionally, the strain of hepatitis A virus causing illnesses this year is genetically identical to the strain that caused the outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections in 2022, which was linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico, and sold at various retailers. Due to the matching strains of hepatitis A, investigators considered traceback and epidemiological data from the 2022 and 2023 outbreaks. When both data sets were considered together, investigators found that a single farm was associated with the distribution of strawberries consumed by ill people in both outbreaks. This single farm supplied strawberries to multiple importers across both outbreaks and some recipients processed fresh strawberries into the frozen berries consumed in the 2023 outbreak.
As of September 15, 2023, no additional illnesses have been reported and CDC has announced that this outbreak has ended. FDA’s investigation is complete. While the outbreak has ended, FDA continues to work closely with competent authorities in Mexico through the established Food Safety Partnership to investigate potential source(s) of contamination within the implicated region and to proactively implement prevention strategies for growers ahead of the next growing season. FDA also intends to consider using additional tools, such as import screening and sampling, for strawberries grown and harvested in Baja California, Mexico, during the next growing season.
FoodWorld 