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Strawberries hold the unfortunate distinction of being both the number one Dirty Dozen produce item for pesticide residues and one of the most dramatically recalled fruits in recent U.S. history. In 2022 and 2023, consecutive hepatitis A outbreaks were traced to frozen organic strawberries imported from the same farm in Baja California, Mexico, triggering recalls at Costco, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, and multiple other national retailers.
The hepatitis A strawberry outbreaks were particularly alarming because they involved organic product (which consumers associate with safety), frozen product (which consumers assume is shelf-stable and safe), and a virus rather than bacteria (which means contamination occurred through human handling and contaminated water, not through typical agricultural pathogens).
This article covers the history of strawberry recalls, the specific contamination risks for both fresh and frozen strawberries, how to respond when strawberries are recalled, and how growing strawberries at home in an indoor hydroponic system provides a year-round supply free from contamination risk.
Key takeaways
- Frozen organic strawberries imported from Mexico caused hepatitis A outbreaks in both 2022 and 2023, traced to the same farm in Baja, California. Recalls affected Costco, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, and several other major retailers.
- Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus, not bacteria. It can take 15 to 50 days for symptoms to appear, making it difficult to trace and dangerous for unvaccinated individuals.
- Strawberries rank #1 on the EWG Dirty Dozen list nearly every year, carrying the highest pesticide residue levels of any tested produce.
- Both fresh and frozen strawberries have been subject to recalls: fresh for Salmonella and norovirus, frozen for hepatitis A.
- Gardyn sells mini strawberry yCubes that grow indoors year-round with no pesticides, no import chain, and no contamination risk. When in season, Gardyn also offers full size strawberry yCubes.
History of strawberry recalls and outbreaks
| Year | Event | Pathogen | Scale |
| 2026 | EWG Dirty Dozen confirms strawberries #1 for pesticides; PFAS detected for first time | Pesticide/PFAS residues | 63% of Dirty Dozen samples had PFAS |
| 2026 | Ventura Foods PB + strawberry jam twin packs (Class II) | Foreign material (plastic) | 20,000+ units, 40 states |
| 2025 | Doehler freeze-dried fruit variety pack (Sam’s Club) | Listeria monocytogenes | 21,552 boxes, Class I, nationwide |
| 2025 | Tru Fru freeze-dried strawberries (nationwide) | Metal contamination | 7,900+ packages recalled |
| 2023 | Frozen organic strawberries (Walmart, Costco, HEB, Aldi, Trader Joe’s) | Hepatitis A | 10 cases, 4 hospitalizations, 4 states |
| 2022 | Fresh organic strawberries (same Baja California farm) | Hepatitis A | Linked to same HAV strain as 2023 outbreak |
The most alarming feature is the consecutive-year hepatitis A outbreaks from the same farm. CDC investigators confirmed that the HAV strain in 2023 was genetically identical to the 2022 strain, both traced to a single grower in Baja California, Mexico. The FDA found food safety gaps in handwashing and training during a 2023 farm inspection.
In 2026, the picture expanded beyond pathogens. The EWG’s 2026 Dirty Dozen report confirmed strawberries at #1 for pesticide residues for yet another year, and for the first time included PFAS (forever chemical) data, finding PFAS on 63% of Dirty Dozen samples. Strawberries now carry a triple safety concern: pathogen recall risk, the highest pesticide residues of any tested produce, and PFAS contamination from pesticide formulations. See our guides to the 2026 Dirty Dozen and PFAS in food for more on these dimensions.
Types of strawberries affected: fresh, frozen, and processed
Frozen organic strawberries
Frozen strawberries were the primary product in the hepatitis A outbreaks. Because frozen strawberries have shelf lives of 18 months to two years, recalled product can remain in consumers’ freezers long after a recall is announced.
Fresh strawberries
Fresh strawberries have been linked to the 2022 hepatitis A outbreak and periodic Salmonella and norovirus concerns. Fresh strawberries are extremely perishable, soft-skinned, and consumed unwashed by many consumers, creating direct pathogen exposure.
Freeze-dried and processed strawberry products
In 2025, two separate recalls affected processed strawberry products: Tru Fru freeze-dried chocolate-covered strawberries (metal contamination) and Doehler freeze-dried fruit variety packs at Sam’s Club (Listeria, Class I).
How strawberries get contaminated
Hepatitis A through human handling and contaminated water
Hepatitis A is transmitted through fecal-oral contact. In agricultural settings, this means contaminated irrigation water or inadequate handwashing by farm workers. The 2022-2023 outbreaks were traced to food safety gaps at the Mexican farm. Because hepatitis A has a long incubation period (15 to 50 days), infections can spread widely before the source is identified.
Soft skin and ground-level growth
Strawberries grow at ground level with soft, porous skin that cannot be peeled. They are eaten whole, including the surface that has contacted soil, irrigation water, and handling. Unlike thick-skinned fruits, there is no protective barrier between the environment and the edible portion.
Import dependency
The United States imports a significant portion of its fresh and frozen strawberries, particularly from Mexico. Imported berries travel long supply chains with multiple handling points, and traceability across international borders adds complexity to outbreak investigations.
| Hepatitis A is preventable with vaccination
The hepatitis A vaccine is highly effective and recommended for all children and at-risk adults. The CDC advised that vaccinated individuals were protected even if they consumed the recalled strawberries. However, unvaccinated people who ate the recalled product within 14 days were advised to seek immediate medical attention for possible post-exposure prophylaxis. |
What to do when strawberries are recalled
- Check your freezer. Frozen strawberries have 18-month to 2-year shelf lives. Recalled product may be in your freezer long after the recall
announcement. - Discard recalled product. Do not eat, cook, or blend recalled strawberries. Hepatitis A is not destroyed by freezing.
- Check multi-ingredient products. Smoothie blends, fruit mixes, and breakfast bowls containing strawberries may be affected.
- Consider vaccination status. If you are not vaccinated against hepatitis A and consumed recalled strawberries within the past 14 days, contact your healthcare provider immediately about post-exposure prophylaxis.
- Monitor for symptoms. Hepatitis A symptoms (fatigue, nausea, jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain) can take 15 to 50 days to appear.
Strawberries on the Dirty Dozen: the pesticide dimension
Strawberries top the EWG Dirty Dozen list almost every year, carrying more pesticide residue than any other tested produce. For households concerned about both pathogen contamination and pesticide exposure, indoor hydroponic strawberry growing addresses both concerns simultaneously.
Growing strawberries indoors with Gardyn
| Gardyn yCube | Type | Product link |
| Mini Strawberries | Compact berries, sweet flavor, visual appeal | /product/mini-strawberries/ |
Indoor-grown strawberries eliminate every contamination pathway:
- No hepatitis A risk: No farm workers, no contaminated irrigation water, no import chain from endemic regions.
- No Salmonella or Listeria: No field soil contact, no processing facility, no shared equipment.
- No pesticides: Indoor growing has no fungal pressure or insect pests requiring chemical treatment. Dirty Dozen #1 becomes zero-pesticide.
- Year-round availability: Strawberries in a Gardyn Home or Gardyn Studio produce fruit regardless of season.
| Grow strawberries without the recall risk or the pesticides.
Gardyn’s strawberry yCubes grow indoors in a closed Hybriponic™ system. No hepatitis A, no Salmonella, no pesticide residue, no import chain. Shop strawberry yCubes or explore the Gardyn Home system. |
Further reading
CDC: Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked to Frozen Organic Strawberries
FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts
EWG Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce
Frequently asked questions
Are strawberries safe to eat right now?
Check the FDA recall database for active strawberry recalls. Outside of active recall events, commercially sold strawberries are considered safe. Growing strawberries indoors eliminates the recall question entirely.
Does freezing strawberries kill hepatitis A?
No. Hepatitis A virus can survive freezing temperatures for extended periods. This is why frozen strawberries were the vehicle for the 2022-2023 outbreaks.
Why were organic strawberries the ones recalled?
The hepatitis A contamination occurred at the farm level through human handling and contaminated water, not through any factor related to organic vs. conventional growing methods. Organic certification addresses pesticide use, not viral contamination.
Can I grow strawberries indoors year-round?
Yes. Gardyn’s strawberry and mini strawberry yCubes produce fruit in the Hybriponic™ system regardless of season.
Should I get the hepatitis A vaccine?
The CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for all children and for adults in certain risk groups. Consult your healthcare provider. The vaccine is the most effective protection against hepatitis A infection, regardless of food source.