Tainted Strawberries Have Entered State

The Food and Drug Administration notified state health officials late Friday that strawberries potentially contaminated with hepatitis A have entered Idaho, prompting a recall of the suspect lots.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare issued a recall notice for any remaining 30-pound pails of frozen strawberries with New West labels bearing the lot identification number N10046, followed by the numeral 1, 2 or 3.

Food establishments possessing the suspect berries were urged to contact their distributors.

The frozen strawberries are believed to be part of the implicated supply that recently sickened 175 people in Michigan with the hepatitis A virus.

According to FDA reports, the strawberries entered Idaho in large containers and were distributed primarily to institutions and food service establishments such as hospitals, nursing homes, jails, restaurants and schools.

Hepatitis A is a virus that can cause a mild liver infection. Gamma globulin shots ward off the disease, which is spread through improperly cooked or stored food.

Affected people may experience fever, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain and jaundice. It usually is a mild and self-limiting illness with symptoms usually appearing 15 to 50 days after exposure.