There is no single permanent list of recalled frozen fruit. Past recalls have included frozen strawberries and mixed fruit because of possible hepatitis A or Listeria contamination, but a recall usually applies only to specific products, package sizes, and lot codes.
To tell whether your fruit is affected, match the package details to a current official recall notice. This article reviews notable past examples, shows you how to check a bag, and explains what to do if you have a match. Because recalls can be announced or expanded at any time, use the steps below to verify the latest information before eating a product you are unsure about.
what frozen fruit has been recalled
Notable past recalls have involved frozen strawberries and mixed frozen fruit. The products were recalled over possible contamination with hepatitis A or Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious illness. These examples are historical, not a live list of products recalled today.
In 2023, companies recalled some frozen strawberries linked to possible hepatitis A contamination. The affected products were sold under different brand names and through different retailers. That same year, Sunrise Growers recalled certain frozen fruit products because of possible Listeria contamination. In 2013, Townsend Farms recalled its Organic Antioxidant Blend after an outbreak investigation linked the product to hepatitis A.
Those events do not mean all frozen berries, strawberries, or fruit blends are unsafe. A recall applies to the specific items described in its notice, often identified by brand, package size, UPC, lot code, and best-by date. A bag from the same brand may be unaffected if its identifying details do not match.
For a current answer, check official recall notices. Recall information changes, and older articles cannot confirm whether a product in your freezer is affected. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posts food recall information and links to company notices. Compare your package against the notice rather than relying on a brand name alone.
Why frozen fruit recalls happen
Freezing preserves food by slowing the growth of many microbes, but it does not reliably destroy every harmful germ. Some viruses and bacteria can survive freezing. That is why frozen fruit can be recalled even when it looks and smells normal.
Hepatitis A concerns
Hepatitis A is a virus that can spread through contaminated food. Frozen fruit may be eaten without cooking in smoothies, desserts, or thawed fruit bowls, so there may be no heating step to reduce the risk. Freezing does not make fruit a reliable way to kill the virus.
Symptoms can include tiredness, nausea, stomach discomfort, fever, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. They may not appear right away. If you ate a recalled product and feel unwell, contact a health care professional and tell them what you ate and when. A medical professional can advise whether any action is appropriate, including for people who may need time-sensitive guidance.
Listeria concerns
Listeria monocytogenes can cause an infection called listeriosis. It can be especially serious for pregnant people, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Some people have mild symptoms, while others can become severely ill.
Cooking can kill Listeria, but a recall is not an invitation to cook a suspect product and eat it anyway. The notice may advise discarding or returning the item, and handling it can spread contamination to hands, utensils, or surfaces. Follow the instructions in the specific notice.
Examples of past frozen fruit recalls
The table gives context for well-known past events. It is not a list of products currently under recall, and it does not identify every affected package or retailer. For any bag you own, use the original recall notice to verify the exact details.
| Past example | Fruit or product type | Concern | Best use of this information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Townsend Farms recall | Organic Antioxidant Blend | Possible hepatitis A contamination | Historical context; do not treat it as a current recall |
| 2023 frozen strawberry recalls | Some frozen strawberries sold under multiple labels | Possible hepatitis A contamination | Check the specific brand, lot, and package details in the notice |
| 2023 Sunrise Growers recall | Certain frozen fruit products | Possible Listeria contamination | Use the company and FDA notices to identify covered products |
Retailers may sell products made or packed by another company, and similar-looking bags can come from different suppliers. A retailer’s private-label name alone does not prove that a package is included. The recall notice’s product identifiers are what matter.
How to check whether your bag is affected
Do not rely on a quick glance at the fruit or on the store where you bought it. Use a systematic check, because a single brand can sell many products made at different facilities or during different production runs.
- Find the exact product name. Read the front and back of the bag. Note the fruit or blend, brand, package size, and any product description.
- Look for the UPC and lot code. The UPC is the barcode number. A lot code or production code may be printed near the seal, back panel, or best-by date. Keep the package available while checking.
- Read the recall notice in full. Confirm that the brand and product match, then compare the UPC, lot code, date, and package size. Some notices cover only certain codes or sizes.
- Check the date and scope. A notice may describe a limited distribution area, a particular retailer, or a range of dates. Do not assume that every item with an older date is affected.
- Follow the stated instructions. If the product matches, do not eat it. The notice may say to discard it or return it to the retailer for a refund. Follow its directions rather than guessing.
If the package has been thrown away, check purchase records or ask the retailer whether it can identify the item. A receipt may show the product name, but often will not show its lot code. If you cannot establish whether a product matches a recall, contact the company or retailer before using it.
What to do with recalled frozen fruit
If your bag matches a recall, keep it away from food that is not affected. Do not taste a piece to check whether it seems safe. Harmful contamination may not change a product’s smell, flavor, or appearance.
- Stop using it. Do not put it in a smoothie, bake it into a dessert, or feed it to a pet.
- Follow the notice. Discard or return the package as directed. If discarding it, seal it in a bag so another person or animal cannot access it.
- Clean anything it touched. Wash hands with soap and water. Clean bowls, blender parts, counters, and other surfaces that contacted the fruit or its liquid.
- Check other packages. If you bought several bags, compare each one separately. Different lots of the same product can have different recall status.
If someone has eaten the fruit, do not assume illness will start immediately or that the absence of symptoms proves there is no risk. Follow the health advice in the recall notice. Anyone who develops concerning symptoms, or who is in a group at higher risk of severe illness, should contact a health care professional and mention the recalled food.
How to read a recall notice correctly
Recall notices can include several details that are easy to overlook. The product title may be broad, while the affected package information is narrow. Read the notice’s complete list and any attached product images, rather than stopping after seeing a familiar brand.
Brand, manufacturer, and retailer are different clues
The brand printed on the bag may not be the company that processed the fruit. A recall notice may name the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer. Search using the product name and the company named in the notice, then confirm that the package identifiers match.
Lot codes and dates matter
A best-by date is not always enough to identify an affected product. Notices may specify a lot code, production date, or UPC. If a notice lists multiple codes, check each character carefully; similar letters and numbers can be hard to distinguish on a crinkled bag.
Do not assume a notice covers every product from a company
A company may make many fruit blends, but a recall can apply to only selected products or production runs. The reverse can also happen: a product sold under different store labels may be included because the products came from the same supplier. The notice—not assumptions about the brand—defines the scope.
Where to find reliable, current recall information
For fruit sold in the United States, start with the FDA’s food recall information and the company announcement linked from it when available. Retailers may also post notices or contact affected customers. These sources can help you confirm the exact items and instructions.
Check the date of the notice and whether it has been updated. A later notice may add brands, lot codes, or distribution details. Search results and social media posts can repeat incomplete information, so use them as leads rather than as the final check.
If you cannot find a match but remain uncertain, contact the company using its official customer service information or ask the retailer. Provide the product name, UPC, lot code, and date. Those details are more useful than saying only that you bought frozen berries.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming freezing kills every germ. Freezing slows microbial growth, but some pathogens can survive it.
- Judging by appearance or smell. Contaminated fruit may look completely ordinary.
- Checking only the brand. The package size, UPC, lot code, or date may determine whether it is included.
- Using cooking as a workaround. Do not override a recall instruction by heating the fruit. Follow the notice’s disposal or return guidance.
- Throwing away every bag in the freezer. A recall may cover only certain lots. Compare each package individually, unless the notice says otherwise.
- Treating an old recall as current—or a current recall as old news. Verify the notice date and the exact affected products before making a decision.
A useful detail many shoppers miss: the lot code can matter more than the store name. Two bags bought at the same retailer may have different suppliers or production codes. Keeping the bag until you have checked the recall details makes verification much easier.
Choosing and storing frozen fruit safely
Buying frozen fruit from a familiar brand does not guarantee that every future package will be free of recalls. Still, a few habits make it easier to respond quickly if a notice appears.
Keep the original bag or take a clear photo of its label before transferring fruit to another container. The photo should show the brand, product name, UPC, lot code, and date. Without those details, it can be difficult to tell whether a notice applies.
Store frozen fruit according to the package directions and keep the freezer clean. Close bags securely to prevent spills and contact with other foods. Wash hands and kitchen equipment after handling fruit, especially if a package leaks or has been recalled.
For fruit intended for people at higher risk of foodborne illness, follow current food safety advice and any product-specific instructions. Do not assume that rinsing frozen fruit removes a virus or bacteria. Washing may reduce some surface dirt, but it is not a reliable way to make recalled fruit safe.
The answer to what frozen fruit has been recalled depends on the product and lot. Past recalls have included some frozen strawberries and mixed fruit over possible hepatitis A or Listeria contamination, but those historical examples do not tell you whether a bag is affected today.
Check the FDA or company notice and compare its UPC, lot code, package size, and date with your bag. If it matches, do not eat it; follow the notice’s return or disposal instructions.