Townsend Farms Organic Anti-oxidant Blend frozen berry and pomegranate seed mix is the suspected source of a hepatitis A outbreak in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico. As of May 31, 2013, 30 people have been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A that may be linked to this outbreak. These numbers are expected to change as the investigation continues.
So far investigators have interviewed 19 of the hepatitis victims. Of these, 12 (63%) are women, all are from 25 – 71 years old, all began showing illness from 4/29/2013 – 5/17/2013. Nine of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized. Hepatitis A can cause liver damage and be fatal.
Eleven of the victims reported eating ‘Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend,’ a frozen berry and pomegranate seed mix. All of them purchased this product from Costco. Investigations are ongoing to determine if this product was sold at other stores or venues.
Investigation by state health departments, FDA, and CDC is ongoing. Costco is notifying its members who purchased this product since late February 2013, and has removed this product from its shelves but has not recalled the product.
A Townsend Farms attorney and the CDC have said that pomegranate seeds in the berry mix are the prime suspect in this outbreak. These seeds were imported from Turkey and used in the frozen berry product.
