The source is believed to be frozen strawberries from Egypt.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Mike Rotondo issued an apology in a commercial. “We voluntarily and immediately removed all of those strawberries from all of our cafes, and we have sourced new strawberries for every location,” he said.
“Individuals who consumed a smoothie from a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Virginia that contained frozen strawberries, on August 5, 6, 7 or 8, 2016, may still benefit from a vaccine of immune globulin to prevent hepatitis A,” the health department advised in a press release.
WTOP radio reports a man is suing Tropical Smoothie Cafe for $100,000, saying he became ill after buying several smoothies at a Purcellville store.
“Separately, a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of people who were exposed to hepatitis A at Tropical Smoothie Cafe and received a vaccine or other treatment that prevented them from getting sick,” WTOP reported.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Fredericksburg area locations include:
– 1460 Central Park Blvd. Suite 116, Fredericksburg, 22401
– 15 South Gateway Drive Suite 113, Fredericksburg, 22406
– 9913 Southpoint Parkway, Fredericksburg, 22407
– 1465 Stafford Marketplace Suite 115, Stafford, 22554
– 16450 Consumer Row, King George, 22485
Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. The classic symptom of hepatitis A is jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin or the eyes. Other symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and light-colored stools. Symptoms develop 15-50 days after exposure to the virus, which can occur through direct contact with another person who has the infection or by consuming food or drink that has been contaminated with the virus.
