Virginia health officials say more than two dozen cases of Hepatitis A were caused by frozen strawberries from Tropical Smoothie Cafe stores.
As of Thursday, the chain has been linked to 28 cases of Hepatitis A across the state, with a majority of those cases connect to stores in Northern Virginia, according to a news release.
The Virginia Department of Health says testing indicates frozen strawberries from Egypt used at Tropical Smoothie Cafe stores may be to blame for the illnesses.
Tropical Smoothie has locations in Hampton, Newport News, James City County and a planned location in York County, according to the company’s website.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe has stopped using strawberries from Egypt at all of its stores, including those outside Virginia, after learning about the potential issue.
The smoothie chain says the cafes and their food-handling practices “have not been implicated in any way.”
Anyone who recently drank a smoothie from a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Virginia that contained frozen strawberries on Aug. 5, 6, 7 or 8 may still benefit from vaccine or immune globulin to prevent hepatitis A, state health department officials said.
Health officials are encouraging anyone who consumed a smoothie with frozen strawberries at a restaurant in the last 50 days to watch for symptoms of hepatitis A. Those include jaundice, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea.
Daily Press reporter Michele Canty contributed to this report.
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