The frozen strawberries recalled in the widely reported 2023 U.S. notices included certain Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberries and products sold as Simply Nature, Vital Choice, Made With, and PCC Community Markets Organic Strawberries. A Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend was also recalled because it contained strawberries.
These were specific products and lots, not every frozen strawberry or every package sold under those brands. The recalls were issued over possible hepatitis A contamination. Here’s how the notices differed, what to check on a package, and what to do if you find a match. Because recall status can change, use the latest official notice for a final lot-by-lot check.
Which frozen strawberries were recalled?
In 2023, U.S. recall notices named specific frozen strawberry products associated with possible hepatitis A contamination. The products came from two separate company recalls, so a brand name alone does not show whether a package was included.
California Splendor, Inc. recalled certain Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberries sold at Costco. Separately, Scenic Fruit Company recalled selected frozen strawberry products distributed under several brands. A frozen fruit blend was also included because it contained strawberries.
The affected products were associated with strawberries sourced from farms in Baja California, Mexico. The notices applied to specified products and package or lot details. They did not mean that all strawberries from Mexico, all frozen fruit, or every package of a named brand was recalled.
| Recall or product named | Brand or product name | What to know | Best check |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Splendor, Inc. | Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberries | Certain frozen organic strawberry packages sold at Costco were recalled. | Compare package and lot details with the applicable notice. |
| Scenic Fruit Company | Simply Nature Organic Strawberries | A product sold through Aldi was named in a recall notice. | Check the named package and identifying details. |
| Scenic Fruit Company | Vital Choice Organic Strawberries | Selected product was included in the recall. | Check the notice for the relevant product and lot. |
| Scenic Fruit Company | Made With Organic Strawberries | Selected product was included in the recall. | Match package details rather than relying on brand alone. |
| Scenic Fruit Company | PCC Community Markets Organic Strawberries | Selected product was included in the recall. | Check the applicable notice and retailer information. |
| Scenic Fruit Company | Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend | This blend contained strawberries and was included in a recall notice. | Check the blend name and package identifiers. |
This table is a starting point, not a substitute for the recall notice. Package sizes, lot codes, and date markings matter, and the exact details depend on the product and recall.
Why were the frozen strawberries recalled?
The notices cited possible contamination with hepatitis A virus, a virus that can infect the liver. It may spread through contaminated food or water, and an infected person can pass it to others. Symptoms can include fatigue, nausea, stomach discomfort, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin or eyes, though not everyone develops symptoms.
Frozen fruit can still carry a foodborne virus. Freezing keeps food cold but does not reliably destroy hepatitis A. That is why a recalled product should not be treated as safe simply because it stayed frozen or looks and smells normal.
Recall announcements are precautionary. They identify products that consumers should avoid because of a possible safety risk; they do not mean that every package caused illness. The practical response is the same: match your package against the specific notice and follow its instructions.
How to check a package at home
Do not rely on the brand name alone. A recall may cover only certain lots, dates, or package types, while other packages with the same name may not be included. Follow these steps before using a bag you already have.
- Read the full product name. Check whether it says organic strawberries, a named strawberry product, or a fruit blend that contains strawberries. Do not assume every product from the same retailer is affected.
- Check the package size and identifying marks. Look for lot codes, production codes, best-by dates, and other details listed in the notice. These may be printed near the back seam or on the package’s reverse side.
- Match the details to the right recall. Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberries were part of a separate notice from the Scenic Fruit Company products. Use the notice that names the manufacturer and product you have.
- Check current official information. Recall pages can be updated as more details become available. Search the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recall information or contact the retailer using the product details.
- Keep a package photo if you need help. A clear photo of the front and the code area can make it easier for a retailer or health department to identify the product.
Useful detail: A receipt is not always necessary to identify a recalled package. The package itself often has the product and lot information needed to compare it with a notice. If you no longer have the bag, check purchase history or ask the store whether it can identify the item.
What to do if you have a recalled product
If the package matches a recall, do not eat it. Do not taste a small amount to check it, and do not serve it to anyone. Follow the recall instructions for returning or disposing of the product. If the notice says to discard it, keep it sealed while disposing of it so that it does not leak in your kitchen or trash.
Wash your hands after handling the package. If it thawed or leaked, clean surfaces and utensils that may have touched the berries or their liquid. Follow the product notice or public-health guidance for cleaning; do not assume that rinsing the berries makes them safe.
If you ate berries from a package that matches a recall, contact a health professional or local public-health department for advice, especially if you have symptoms or are at higher risk of serious illness. Hepatitis A symptoms can take weeks to appear, so feeling well immediately after eating the food does not rule out exposure. A clinician can advise you based on when you ate it and your vaccination history.
Do not throw away an unrelated package just because it is frozen fruit. First check the product name and lot details against the notice. That avoids both unnecessary waste and the more serious mistake of keeping a package that actually matches.
What the recall does not mean
A recall is not a blanket warning against all frozen strawberries. It applies to the products identified in the notice, and a retailer may sell many other strawberry products from different sources. Nor does a label such as organic, imported, or domestically packed prove that a package is safe or unsafe by itself.
Do not use country of origin as your only screening method. The useful identifiers are the product, responsible company, and package or lot details specified by the notice. Origin information can help explain the supply chain, but it does not replace those identifiers.
Also, cooking should not be used to rescue a recalled package. Even if heat can reduce some food-safety risks when applied correctly, you should follow the recall instructions and not try to make recalled food acceptable for eating. Discard or return it as directed.
How to shop for frozen strawberries safely
For a package that is not listed in a recall, basic food-safety habits still help. Buy bags that are fully frozen and intact, and keep them cold on the trip home. If a package is torn, leaking, or appears to have thawed and refrozen, choose another one or ask the store about it.
At home, store frozen fruit according to the package directions and keep it separate from raw meat or seafood. Use clean hands and utensils when scooping berries. Put the bag back in the freezer promptly instead of leaving it on the counter while you portion it.
Wash fresh produce as appropriate, but remember that washing does not reliably remove every harmful germ from frozen fruit. Do not rinse a recalled product and then eat it. For a specific recall, the official notice takes priority over routine handling advice.
If you buy frozen berries often, keep the package until you have used the contents or transfer the identifying label with the fruit. This small habit is useful if a recall is announced later, because you can still check the original brand and lot details after opening the bag.
Where to verify the exact recall details
Look for the U.S. FDA recall announcement that names the product or company, then compare every available identifier on your package. Retailer notices can also explain return or refund procedures. If a notice has been updated, use the newest version rather than an old screenshot or social-media post.
Be cautious with posts that say simply “frozen strawberries recalled.” That wording may omit the brand, lot, and date limits that determine whether a package is affected. A clear match to an official notice is more reliable than a broad headline.
If you cannot identify the package, do not guess. Keep it separate from food you plan to eat while you check with the retailer or the relevant health authority. If the product is confirmed as recalled, follow the stated return or disposal directions.
The 2023 notices named certain Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberries, selected Scenic Fruit Company products, and a Trader Joe’s fruit blend containing strawberries. They applied to specific products and package details, not every frozen strawberry on store shelves.
Check the full product name and package codes against the latest FDA or retailer notice before eating berries you are unsure about. If your package matches, do not eat it; follow the recall instructions and contact a health professional if you may have eaten it and need advice.