Townsend Farms, an Oregon company, has issued a recall of Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend, a frozen berry mix sold to Costco and Harris Teeter stores, according to the FDA. This product is associated with at least 37 hepatitis A illnesses in 6 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico.
The Townsend Farms berries recall was issued 3 days after the CDC announced the suspected link between the berries and the hepatitis A illnesses. “This recall should have been issued as soon an association was made between the berries and the illnesses,” said attorney Fred Pritzker. “Even if Townsend Farms was initially unwilling to issue a recall, Costco should have.”
Costco sold the potentially contaminated berries from February through May 2013 in 3 lb. bags. They have sequential best-by codes from T012415 through T053115. The UPC number is 0 78414 404448. Distribution in Harris Teeter stores was limited to April 19 to May 7. Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Berry Blend was sold in 10 oz. bags with best by codes of T041615E and T041615C and UPC number 0 72036 70463 4.
