Frozen strawberries are being recalled nationwide for being contaminated with hepatitis A.
The contaminated produce comes from Egypt and was only distributed to commercial food establishments and restaurants. The strawberries were not sold in local grocery stores.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS), the first cases were reported on the East Coast in August until the Food and Drug Administration realized the distribution of the fruit was nationwide.
Jessica Rigler, from AZDHS, said there have not been any cases reported in the state, but symptoms can show up weeks later.
“We also want people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of hepatitis A. It can take up to 50 days for those symptoms to start, so if people are experiencing symptoms, it’s important to go visit their healthcare provider,” says Rigler.
Symptoms include fatigue, abdominal pain, yellow skin, dark urine and pale stool.
The health department advises restaurant owners to check inventory and safely dispose of contaminated strawberries immediately.