Frozen berries recalled
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.