Hepatitis A Found in Strawberries Served in Northern Colorado

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a multi-state outbreak of food-borne hepatitis A, including products served in Northern Colorado.

There are currently no hepatitis A cases in Colorado associated with this outbreak, however some people in Colorado may have been served food and drinks containing these products and may have been exposed to hepatitis A.

Weld County Businesses Affected by Hepatitis Outbreak

According to the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment: Two Establishments in Weld County may have served affected frozen strawberry products within the past 14 days:

Fat Alberts restaurant (Greeley) served strawberries on top of dessert items, last served October 24, 2016.
Red Rooster restaurant (Longmont) served strawberries on top of breakfast items, last served by October 28, 2016.

Source of the Outbreak

Frozen strawberries imported from Egypt are the likely source of this outbreak. The recall affects all frozen strawberries and frozen strawberry products imported into the United States by the International Company for Agricultural Production & Processing since January 1, 2016. The products were NOT offered for sale in retail stores such as grocery stores or food warehouses. The frozen strawberries were distributed to restaurants.

What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection that results from exposure to the hepatitis A virus. Illness from hepatitis A generally begins around 28 days after exposure (a range of 15–50 days) and symptoms include:

Fatigue
Stomach pain
Yellowing of the skin and eye (jaundice)
Dark urine
Clay-colored stool

Hepatitis A can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. In rare cases, the infection can lead to liver failure, particularly in individuals who have a pre-existing liver disease or weakened immune systems.