MDA issues Consumer Advisory for Non-Organic Fresh Thyme Farmers Market Blackberries 

FDA investigating multistate Hepatitis A outbreak

St. Paul, MN: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is advising consumers to not eat any non-organic blackberries purchased between September 9 and September 30, 2019, from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market grocery store locations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses potentially linked to fresh, non-organic blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market.

The investigation has determined that thus far, ill patients reported consuming fresh, non-organic blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in Indiana, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. However, traceback information to date shows that these berries came from a distribution center that ships fresh berries to Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in 11 states, including Minnesota, as well as Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

“Although no illnesses have yet been reported in Minnesota, we are alerting consumers, out of an abundance of caution, and urging you to throw out any non-organic blackberries you purchased from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market,” said MDA Food and Feed Safety Director Katherine Simon.

If you purchased the fresh blackberries and then froze them for later consumption, do not eat them. They should be thrown away.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have become ill from eating these blackberries, or if you believe that you have eaten these berries in the last two weeks.

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