Whole Foods Detroit store linked to hepatitis A illnesses

Two recent cases of hepatitis A in Detroit include a Whole Foods Market food handler and a customer who ate at the retailer’s food bar, according to the Detroit Health Department.

The Whole Foods employee was diagnosed Oct. 11, and the customer ate at the store’s food bar during the infectious period of the food handler, between Oct. 6 and 12, the Detroit Health Department said on its website.

“Given this information and the theoretical risk of disease transmission, we are taking preventative measures to ensure that anyone who may have been potentially exposed takes proper precautions,” the website states.

The Detroit Health Department is investigating the cases.

Whole Foods released a statement on the investigation Thursday:

“After a team member in our Whole Foods Market store in Detroit was diagnosed with hepatitis A, out of an abundance of caution, we immediately contacted the Detroit Health Department and began reviewing food logs and safety procedures. While there is no definitive link that the second case is related to the occurrence in our store, we are cooperating fully with the Detroit Health Department to ensure the safety of our customers and team members.”