Townsend Farms has notified Costco that an FDA test found that a domestic conventional frozen blackberry product that was manufactured by Townsend Farms may be contaminated with hepatitis A. The FDA issued a food safety alert about Kroger frozen blackberries and frozen berry medley for the same issue earlier this week. That alert has been updated with more information.
Townsend Farms is the supplier for the Kroger frozen berry products and for the newly announced recalled product: frozen Kirkland Signature Three Berry Blend product sold by Costco. The recalled frozen Kirkland Signature brand Three Berry Blend was sold from the Costco stores in San Diego and Los Angeles in California and in Hawaii.
The berries were sold in a 4 pound bag. The best by dates range from February 16, 12020 to May 4, 2020. Those dates are:
- FEB1620,(A),(B),(C),(D),(E),(F),(G), or (H);
- FEB1820,(A),(B),(C),or (D);
- FEB2920,(A),(B),(C),or (D);
- MAR0120,(A),(B),(C),or (D);
- APR1920,(B),(C), or (D);
- APR2020(A),(B),(C),(D),(E), or (F);
- APR2720(A),(B),(C),(D),(E),(F),(G), or (H);
- APR2820(A),(B),(C),(D),(E),(F),(G), or (H);
- MAY0220(A),(B),(C),(D),(E),(F),(G), or (H);
- MAY0420 (H)
The best by dates are printed on the white box on the back of the product bag. The recall information for the Kroger frozen berry products remains the same.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with either recall. It is worth mentioning, however, that hepatitis A can take up to 50 days to manifest symptoms.
No product manufacturers for Costco by Townsend Farms has tested positive for hepatitis A. And Costco has no product in its current inventory. But these products are probably in consumers’ home freezers. Costco is asking anyone who has this product to photograph the bag for your records, dispose of the product, and contact the Costco where you purchased the product for a full refund. Wash your hands well with soap and water after handling this product.
The symptoms of hepatitis A can include fatigue, lethargy, abdominal pain, abnormal liver tests, dark urine, clay-colored stool, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), and diarrhea. Some populations, especially people with liver disease, can become seriously ill if they contract this illness. If you ate these products, ask your doctor if a vaccination against the hepatitis A virus is appropriate for you.
