Egyptian strawberries 'linked to' hepatatis outbreak affecting 28 people

A Virginia cafe chain is being sued after selling smoothies using Egyptian strawberries that have allegedly causing a hepatitis outbreak in the US.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

26 August, 2016

Strawberries from Egypt have been allegedly linked to a hepatitis outbreak in the US [Anadolu]

There are now 28 confirmed cases of hepatitis A in Virginia allegedly linked to Egyptian strawberries used by Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchises.

Lawsuits against the company are being filed by those affected by the fruit.

News outlets report that the Virginia Department of Health traced the source of the hepatitis A virus to frozen strawberries imported from Egypt and used in smoothies in July or early August.

The department confirmed that all the potentially contaminated berries were pulled from the 96 Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations in Virginia no later than 8 and 9 August. There are more than 500 franchises across the country.

A Virginia man suing for $100,000, and others have joined a class action against the company, whose CEO Mike Rotondo has issued an apology.