Egyptian Strawberries to Blame for Hepatitis A Breakout at Tropical Smoothie Cafes

Back in March of 2013, the US Department of Agriculture opened up American markets to Egyptian strawberries. This was delightful news for the freedom loving Arab springers, who just got done running through the streets like morons, in search of theocracy. In a little more than 3 years hence, dozens of people are now ill with hepatitis A, provided by the good smoothie makers at Tropical Smoothie.

In a statement given a few months ago, Alain Tulpin of Tulpin Group discussed the difficult harvest Egypt was facing, saying “The weather in Egypt was too cold, which meant the strawberries didn’t get the right colour. The production volumes were also disappointing.” The demand there was a lot lower, I estimate that the consumption decreased by a third. All in all the Egyptian season is disappointing, but that’s the fruit and vegetable sector. One year you will make a profit, the next not so much.”

He did not mention, however, that the weak harvest would produce a bountiful amount of projectile vomiting patrons at a low end Virginian smoothie chain.

The Virginia Department of Health said testing indicates frozen strawberries from Egypt used at Tropical Smoothie Cafe stores may be to blame for the illnesses.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe said it stopped using strawberries from Egypt at all of its stores, including those outside Virginia, after learning about the potential issue. The smoothie chain said the cafes and their food handling practices “have not been implicated in any way.”

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, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and light-colored stools.

Individuals who consumed a smoothie from a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Virginia that contained frozen strawberries on Aug. 5, 6, 7 or 8, 2016, may still benefit from vaccine or immune globulin to prevent hepatitis A, the health department said.

Health officials said a vaccine or immune globulin given within two weeks of exposure to hepatitis A virus is effective at preventing the disease.
There are 96 Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations throughout Virginia, according to the chain’s website. Visit their website for all locations. There is no information at this time that any Maryland locations have been affected.

In a statement given by Tropical Smoothie, they shit (pun intended) on the great pyramid nation of Egypt.

“Tropical Smoothie Cafe was notified by the Virginia Department of Health about several foodborne illnesses in the state linked to frozen strawberries sourced from Egypt. Our cafes and their food handling practices have not been implicated in any way – the health department believes this is a single product issue (strawberries) sourced from Egypt. Egyptian strawberries represent a fraction of our overall strawberries purchased, and were predominantly distributed to stores in the Virginia market. Today, our strawberries are primarily sourced from Mexico and California. However, in an abundance of caution, we voluntarily pulled all strawberries sourced from Egypt from every cafe in our system, not only the Virginia cafes. Our primary concern is for the safety and well-being of our guests and crew members and we will continue to cooperate with the health authorities.”

Be careful where you’re sourcing your fresh fruits and vegetables from.