Epitope Sued in Tainted Strawberry Case

Beaverton, Ore.-based Epitope Inc. was named in a lawsuit seeking class-action status in connection with the sale of strawberries implicated in a hepatitis A outbreak in Michigan. About 150 people fell ill in Michigan schools, where the strawberries were served for lunch. Strawberries from the same batch have been recalled in other states, including California, where the suit was filed. No other outbreaks have been reported. The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks unspecified damages. At least 9,000 people may be included in the class that would be eligible for damages, the suit said. Epitope spokeswoman Mary Hagen said the company couldn’t comment on the suit because executives hadn’t seen it yet. The strawberries were distributed by Andrew & Williamson Sales Co. in San Diego, which Epitope bought in December, after the berries were shipped.