FDA Product Recall Update Includes Texas

H-E-B, Walmart, and Costco Products Recalled

The FDA issued an updated product recall on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, for frozen strawberries sold at H-E-B, Walmart, and Costco in Texas for the risk of Hepatitis A infection. According to a San Antonio Express-News report, similar products sold in other states resulted in nine cases of illness, with three of those cases resulting in hospitalization, though none have been reported in Texas so far. Customers who have purchased these products are advised to throw them away or see a healthcare professional if they have consumed them:

• Rader Farms Organic Fresh Start Smoothie Blend 48-oz. (Costco),
• Great Value Mixed Fruit 4-lb bags, Great Value Sliced Strawberries 4-lb bags, and Great Value Antioxidant Fruit Blend 2-lb bags (Walmart),
• Rader Farms Organic Berry Trio 3-lb bags (H-E-B).

For more information on these products, please visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration report.

Did You Know?

The CDC estimates that 1 in 6 (roughly 48 million) people are infected with a foodborne illness each year in the United States.

Hepatitis A Infections

United States consumers typically do not have to worry about the safety of the products on the shelves, as businesses are required to ensure that their products are safe when selling in the U.S. However, there are occasionally products sold that are unsafe and contain contaminants, such as foodborne illnesses like Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A infections are incredibly rare in the United States and typically are the result of imported products or travel from South America, Central America and Mexico, where sanitary practices are less stringent. It can also be the result of poor sanitary practices in restaurants or through contaminated water. Children under six usually show no symptoms, but older children and adults more commonly show symptoms such as:

• Low-grade fever,
• unusual tiredness and/or weakness,
• sudden vomiting,
• and abdominal pain in the upper right side (liver).

Most people fully recover from Hepatitis A infections within two months. However, there are rare cases where this liver infection can cause serious illness and death, particularly in older people or those with chronic liver conditions.

Product Liability Lawsuits

Many people wonder if cases like Hepatitis A infection or similar foodborne illnesses can warrant a lawsuit. In order to qualify for a defective product lawsuit, the following must be proven:

1. The product was defective – In foodborne illness cases, this would mean contamination.
2. The defect existed prior to the product being released.
3. The defect caused your injury.

Most instances of foodborne illness do not result in serious enough injury to warrant a lawsuit, as the damages would be insignificant. However, there are rare cases where foodborne illnesses can cause permanent damage, chronic conditions, or even death, especially in older people or very small children. If you were seriously injured by a foodborne illness, or if you lost a loved one to a foodborne illness, talk to an experienced Carabin Shaw product liability attorney today to discuss your legal options.

Product Liability Attorneys Serving Texas

If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one to a defective product in San Antonio or the surrounding area, contact the team of product liability attorneys at Carabin Shaw with 30 years of experience representing the injured across Texas at 800-862-1260. We look forward to serving you.