The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Nature’s Touch are recalling Organic Berry Cherry Blend in that country for possible hepatitis A contamination. There is an outbreak associated with the consumption of this product. At least 12 people are sick in three provinces.
The product was sold in Costco stores in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. It is Nature’s Touch Organic Berry Cherry Blend in 1.5 kg (3.3 pound) packages. The code on the product is Best before dates up to and including 2018 MR 15. The UPC number of the recalled product is 8 73668 00179 1.
If you purchased this product, do not eat it. Throw it away in a sealed or double bagged package so other people and animals can’t eat it, or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Wash your hands well with soap and water after handling this product.
Foods contaminated with the hepatitis A virus will not look, smell, or taste spoiled, but this virus can cause an illness. Some people can be sick up to six months. Symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, low appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
Was the product grown in Canada?
We don’t know yet; no information has been released about this issue. Berries have been contaminated with hepatitis A in previous years. A huge outbreak in the U.S. in 2013 was linked to a Costco berry blend that had pomegranates imported from Argentina, Chile, and Turkey.
And do we know now where this blend come from. I had a bag of only cherries from that same company (from Turkey) and I’m afraid these might be contaminated to.
No, we don’t know yet.