The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses potentially linked to fresh conventional (non-organic) blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market.

CDC has updated its case counts to 14 illnesses, with the most recent illness onset date on Nov. 15.

Based on the epidemiological information collected in the investigation thus far, ill patients reported consuming fresh conventional blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in five states: Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, 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: Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. As this investigation continues, the FDA will work with our federal and state partners to obtain additional information during the traceback investigation and will update this advisory as more information becomes available.

The FDA is urging consumers to not eat any fresh conventional blackberries if purchased Sept. 9-30 from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in the 11 states mentioned above.