Four days after a multi-state outbreak of hepatitis A associated with frozen mixed berries was announced, the berry company, Townsend Farms, Inc. of Fairview, OR announced a recall of certain lots frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend berries. No other Townsend Farms products are included in the recall.
The product under recall was sold at Costco stores under the name Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend in 3 lb. bags with the UPC 0 78414 404448 and codes T012415 through T053115. These codes are located on the back of the package with the words “BEST BY”; followed by the code followed by a letter.
The product under recall was also sold at Harris Teeter stores from April 19 through May 7, 2013, under the name Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Berry Blend. It was sold in 10 oz. bags with the UPC 0 72036 70463 4 and “BEST BY” codes of T041615E or T041615C.
Hepatitis A is a liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from food. Illness can be mild, lasting a few weeks to serious lasting several months. In rare cases, Hepatitis A can cause liver failure. Symptoms of infection, which include fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine and pale stools, generally appear two to six weeks after exposure. A vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure to a contaminated food.
The outbreak associated with these berries has caused 49 illnesses in seven states. Harris Teeter has issued its own recall. Costco has posted information about the outbreak on its recall page.
