Frozen berries recalled
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June 5, 2013 |
A frozen mixed berry product potentially linked
to an outbreak of hepatitis A in seven states
was also sold at Costco stores throughout Idaho,
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
reported this week. Idaho has had no reports of
illness associated with Townsend Farms Organic
Anti-Oxidant Blend.
Still, the frozen berry mix was sold from the
Costco store in Coeur d’Alene since January
2013. The outbreak’s first cases indicate the
problem began at the end of January.
Townsend Farms voluntarily recalled Townsend
Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend in 3 lb. bags
with UPC 0 78414 404448. The recalled codes are
T012415 through T053115 followed by a letter.
The code is located on the back of the package.
Costco has removed the berries from its shelves
and has attempted to notify all customers who
purchased the recalled berries. People who have
any of the Townsend berry mix in their freezers
should check carefully for the affected lot
numbers and discard the product.
People who have eaten these berries within the
last two weeks should contact their health care
provider for a hepatitis A vaccine. The vaccine
may help prevent the illness if taken within two
weeks of eating the berries.
People who ate the berries more than two weeks
ago should know the symptoms of hepatitis A:
fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea,
vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine,
clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain or
jaundice—yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Hepatitis A is a virus and the only treatment is
supportive care while it runs its course.
Hepatitis A is an illness from which people
recover. It is often spread to others when food
handlers don’t wash their hands properly.
Anyone who ate the frozen berry product since
February should talk with their health care
provider. Most children are vaccinated against
hepatitis A and are protected. Adults who are
already vaccinated are protected.
The states with confirmed cases of Hepatitis A
linked to the Townsend frozen mixed berries are
California, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, New
Mexico, Hawaii and Utah.
For more information on the hepatitis A
outbreak, visit
www.CDC.gov.
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