This is from the link in the body of the announcement at Post #50:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local officials are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses linked to frozen strawberries in smoothies served at Tropical Smoothie Café locations.
Fast Facts
- The FDA, CDC and state and local officials are investigating hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections linked to frozen strawberries in smoothies served in Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurant locations.
- On October 19, 2016 the FDA placed frozen strawberries from The International Company for Agricultural Production and Processing (ICAPP), in Egypt, on Import Alert99-35 after multiple positive samples confirmed hepatitis A in the product.
- October 25, 2016, ICAPP recalled all frozen strawberries and frozen strawberry products that it has imported into the United States since January 1, 2016.
- As of October 20, 2016, CDC reports 134 people with hepatitis A linked to this outbreak have been reported from 9 states (AR, CA, MD, NC, NY, OR, VA, WI and WV).
- Nearly all ill people interviewed report eating smoothies containing strawberries at Tropical Smoothie locations in a limited geographic area. Traceback information indicates that the frozen strawberries served in these Tropical Smoothie Café locations were from ICAPP, imported from Egypt. Tropical Smoothie Café has stopped using these strawberries nationwide.
- At this time, we do not have information to suggest that there is an ongoing risk of hepatitis A virus infection at Tropical Smoothie Cafes. Illnesses were largely limited to Virginia and neighboring states. Because hepatitis A can have serious health consequences, CDC advises post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for unvaccinated persons who have consumed these strawberries in the last 2 weeks. PEP offers no preventive benefit to persons whose exposure occurred more than 2 weeks ago.
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What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and local officials are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses linked to frozen Egyptian strawberries in smoothies served at Tropical Smoothie Café locations.
The FDA’s investigation in connection with this outbreak identified five samples of ICAPP’s frozen strawberries that tested positive for hepatitis A. ICAPP recalled all frozen strawberries and frozen strawberry products that it imported into the United States since January 1, 2016. ICAPP’s recalled frozen strawberries were distributed to food service establishments nationwide. The products were not offered for retail sale to consumers.
As of October 20, 2016, CDC reports 134 people with hepatitis A linked to this outbreak have been reported from 9 states (AR, CA, MD, NC, NY, OR, VA, WI and WV). Among people with available information, 52 people have been hospitalized. Nearly all ill people reported drinking a smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Café in the month before illness started. Of the 54 ill people who were interviewed about the type of smoothie, all reported eating a smoothie containing strawberries. These ill people purchased smoothies at cafés located in a limited geographical area, including Virginia and neighboring states. The ill person in Oregon had purchased smoothies containing strawberries from a Tropical Smoothie Café location in Virginia while traveling.
The FDA’s traceback investigation indicates that the strawberries served in Tropical Smoothie Café locations where ill people reported drinking smoothies were from ICAPP, imported from Egypt. Tropical Smoothie Café reported that they stopped using Egyptian frozen strawberries in their locations in Virginia and neighboring states by August 8, 2016. Additionally, on August 19, 2016, the firm reported that they removed Egyptian frozen strawberries from all cafes nationwide.
The agency has been in touch with the Egyptian International Health Regulations National Focal Point to discuss the investigation. FDA is working to identify other parts of the relevant supply chain and will take appropriate action as necessary. However, FDA is prohibited by law in most situations from releasing publicly certain confidential commercial information about supply chains. The FDA has initiated increased surveillance of imported strawberries and will provide more information as it becomes available.
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What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter — even in microscopic amounts — from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces of an infected person.
Continued: http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbr.../ucm518775.htm
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