Frozen Berry Recall Over Hepatitis A Concerns: What to Check in Your Freezer

The short version: The FDA flagged frozen berry products — including frozen mixed berries and frozen strawberries sold under both national brand names and store labels — for possible Hepatitis A contamination. Affected products were distributed to major retailers including Kroger-owned stores, Costco, and Whole Foods. If you bought any and still have them, stop eating them and check the recall list.

What Was Recalled and Why

The recalls affecting frozen berry products have been driven by the detection of Hepatitis A virus during routine FDA testing of processed frozen fruit. In the most significant recent action, Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon, recalled frozen organic strawberries — sold under store brands at Costco, Trader Joe's, and other retailers — after the FDA confirmed Hepatitis A virus contamination in 2023 (FDA Recall F-1996-2024, Scenic Fruit Company, 2023). That recall covered products distributed across the United States and Canada.

Separately, Dole Packaged Foods and third-party frozen berry suppliers distributed through Kroger-affiliated stores have been the subject of FDA safety alerts related to frozen mixed berry blends. In cases like these, the contamination typically traces back to the berry-growing or processing stage, where sanitation failures can allow the virus to survive on the fruit through freezing (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, recall database, 2023–2024).

Frozen fruit is particularly risky in this context because the freezing process does not kill Hepatitis A. A person can eat contaminated frozen berries that have been thawed — in a smoothie, on cereal, or as a topping — and become infected without any visible sign of spoilage on the product (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hepatitis A Questions and Answers, 2024).

What Is Hepatitis A and Why Does It Matter

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus. Unlike Hepatitis B and C, it does not become a chronic condition — but an acute infection can still be serious, especially for older adults and people with existing liver problems.

Symptoms typically appear between 15 and 50 days after exposure and may include:

• Fatigue and low energy lasting days or weeks
• Sudden nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Dark urine or pale-colored stools
• Fever and loss of appetite

Most people recover fully within a few months. But the CDC notes that some people — particularly those over 50 or those with chronic liver disease — can develop severe complications requiring hospitalization (CDC, Hepatitis A Information for the Public, 2024). If you have eaten recalled products and begin feeling any of these symptoms, contact your doctor and mention the possible exposure.

Which Products Were Affected

The recalled items span several product types. Based on FDA and CPSC recall records, the categories most frequently involved in Hepatitis A contamination incidents include:

• Frozen mixed berry blends (typically combining strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries)
• Frozen organic strawberries sold under retailer store brands
• Frozen smoothie packs containing berry blends from affected suppliers

Retailers whose store-brand products have been implicated in recent berry recalls include Kroger-affiliated chains (Kroger, Mariano's, Fred Meyer, Ralphs), Costco (Kirkland Signature label), and Whole Foods (365 Everyday Value). Always check the specific UPC code and lot number against the FDA recall list — not all products from these retailers are affected, only specific lots (FDA Recall Database, 2023–2024).

How to Check if Your Product Is Recalled

The FDA maintains a searchable database of all active and archived recalls. Here is how to check yours:

• Go to fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
• Search for "frozen berries" or the brand name printed on your bag
• Match the UPC code (barcode number) and lot code printed on your package against the recall notice
• If you can no longer find the packaging, err on the side of caution and do not eat the product

Recalled products should be thrown away or returned to the store where you bought them. Do not donate them. Do not feed them to children or elderly family members. Wash your hands after handling recalled packaging (FDA, Safe Food Handling, 2024).

What to Do If You Already Ate Recalled Berries

If you consumed frozen berries that you believe were part of a recall, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Exposure does not guarantee infection. Not everyone who eats contaminated food will get sick.
• Watch for symptoms for up to 50 days. The incubation period for Hepatitis A is 15 to 50 days, so symptoms may not appear right away (CDC, 2024).
• Post-exposure vaccination may help. If you were exposed and have not been vaccinated for Hepatitis A, a vaccine administered within two weeks of exposure may prevent or reduce severity of illness. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
• Tell your doctor specifically about the exposure. Hepatitis A is not always the first diagnosis a physician considers — mentioning the recalled product helps them test appropriately.

Are There Lawsuits Related to This Recall?

Yes. Food contamination recalls of this type have historically resulted in personal injury and product liability suits, particularly when individuals experienced serious Hepatitis A illness traceable to a specific contaminated product. People who suffered significant illness — including hospitalization — after consuming recalled frozen berries may have a legal claim against the manufacturer or retailer.

If you or someone in your family was hospitalized with Hepatitis A and you believe the source was a recalled frozen food product, it may be worth speaking with a lawyer. The case check is free.