Outbreak Summary
OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers are investigating a new multistate outbreak of Hepatitis A that public health officials have linked to fresh conventional (non-organic) blackberries sold at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market and Woodman’s Markets. The outbreak has sickened individuals in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin so far. This is a developing situation, and this page will update as events unfold.
More Details
OFT Food Safety Lawyers are investigating a multistate outbreak of Hepatitis A linked to fresh conventional (non-organic) blackberries sold at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, a midwest grocery chain, and Woodman’s grocery stores in Wisconsin and Illinois. The outbreak has sickened 18 individuals in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin so far.
Traceback information suggests that the contaminated blackberries were likely shipped to grocery stores in at least 11 states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The FDA urges anyone who purchased blackberries at a Fresh Thyme Farmers Market or Woodman’s Market between September 9 and September 30 to throw them away.
Anyone who believes they may have eaten blackberries purchased at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market during the identified period should consult with a medical professional if they have not previously been vaccinated against Hepatitis A. Such individuals may benefit from treatment called “post-exposure prophylaxis” (PEP). This treatment may be helpful even if no symptoms of Hepatitis A have occurred.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious disease affecting liver function, caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The virus causes inflammation in the liver, which can impair its ability to function fully and efficiently. In most cases, HAV is transmitted due to infected fecal matter being ingested via contaminated food or water. Common symptoms include:
Anyone who believes they may have eaten the contaminated blackberries and exhibits the symptoms described above should seek immediate medical attention.
OFT Law is a national food safety law firm with experience in these kinds of outbreaks. We offer free consultations to anybody potentially impacted by this outbreak.