WASHINGTON — Two federal safety agencies believe there is no longer a risk of acquiring hepatitis A virus infection from frozen Egyptian strawberry products sold at Tropical Smoothie Cafes.
In a Nov. 3 update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported 129 people with hepatitis A told investigators they consumed a smoothie containing strawberries from Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
As of Oct. 20, 107 Virginia residents were sickened after drinking a smoothie at Tropical Smoothie before Aug. 9.
Other people linked to the outbreak lived in Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, Arizona, New York, Wisconsin, Oregon and California
Five cases had no exposure to Tropical Smoothie Cafe, according to the agencies.
Since affected frozen strawberries were removed from stores soon afterward, the CDC and FDA say information “does not indicate an ongoing risk of acquiring hepatitis A” from the chain.
The last person who got ill after drinking a smoothie was reported sick Sept. 23.
More than one-third of those affected in Virginia were hospitalized, with patients ranging in age from 14 to 70.
The Egyptian strawberries were sold by ICAPP, which has recalled all frozen strawberry products imported to the U.S. since Jan. 1, 2016.
