The Hepatitis A outbreak associated with the Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Frozen Berry Blend sold at Costco stores has sickened at least 34 people in the U.S. The attorney for Townsend Farms has stated that the pomegranate seeds in the mix, imported from Turkey, are most likely responsible for the virus. How many imported foods have been responsible for foodborne illness outbreaks in this country in the last few years? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that outbreaks linked to imported foods are increasing. Other countries have looser regulations than our government, and Americans are eating many more imported foods. Almost half of the outbreaks from 2005 to 2010 were caused by implicated foods from areas that previously had not been associated with outbreaks. … [Read more...]
Lawsuit for Costco-Townsend Farms Berries Hepatitis A Victims
Hepatitis A lawyers are representing people who contracted Hepatitis A infections after eating Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend purchased at Costco, the berry mix associated with a Hepatitis A outbreak that has sickened people in at least 7 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. Since this post was first published there has been a recall of the Costco berries associated with this outbreak. Townsend Farms, Inc., an Oregon company, recalled Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend, 3 lb. bag, sold at Costco with UPC 0 78414 404448. The recalled codes are located on the back of the package with the words “BEST BY” followed by the code T012415 sequentially through T053115, followed by a letter. The company also recalled product sold at Harris … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Strain in Costco Townsend Farm Berries Found in Middle East
The CDC states that the hepatitis A strain associated with Townsend Farms Anti-oxidant Blend Frozen Berry Mix sold at Costco is rare in the United States. The strain is usually found in North Africa and the Middle East. The berry mix contains strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and pomegrnate seeds (also called arils). The fruit was grown in the U.S., Argentina, Chile, and Turkey. The attorney for Townsend Farms has stated that the pomegranate seeds may be the causal agent in this hepatitis A outbreak. They were sourced from Turkey, which is in the Middle East and is considered part of North Africa. This raises the question about imported food safety. This particular genotype of hepatitis A was linked to an outbreak in Europe in 2013 and an outbreak in British Columbia … [Read more...]
Hawaii Added to States in Costco Townsend Farms Berries Hepatitis A Outbreak
Hawaii is now added to the list of states in the Costco Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend Frozen Berry mix hepatitis A outbreak. Other states affected include Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. Thirty-two people are now sick in this outbreak. Because the product was sold at Costco, and that grocery store chain has outlets in all 50 states, it's likely that more states will be included in this outbreak. Public health officials are investigating to see if this specific product was sold through other retail outlets or venues. State health departments, the FDA, and CDC are investigating. Costco has been selling this product since late February 2013. The product is no longer on store shelves. Because the product in question is frozen, consumers most likely … [Read more...]
Costco’s Townsend Farms Frozen Berries Hepatitis A: What You Can Do
The FDA has advice on what consumers can do about the hepatitis A outbreak associated with Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend frozen berries sold at Costco stores. At least 30 people have been sickened in five states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. This outbreak may spread; the number cited is only the first in this investigation. Through interviews with ill patients, the CDC found that 11 of the 17 people interviewed so far ate the product, which has not been recalled. Costco has issued a "safety notice" about the problem with this product. The FDA has started an inspection of the Townsend Farms Oregon processing facilities. And public health officials are developing a protocol to test berries for the hepatitis A virus. The CDC says if you … [Read more...]
Why No Costco Recall of Townsend Farms Berries?
Updated Recall Information: The recalled product sold at Costco was Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend, 3 lb. bag and UPC 0 78414 404448. The recalled codes are located on the back of the package with the words “BEST BY”, followed by the code T012415 sequentially through T053115, followed by a letter. The recalled product sold at Harris Teeter was Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Berry Blend, 10 oz. bag UPC 0 72036 70463 4. The correct “Lot” and “best by” codes are as follows: Lot Codes T041613E, T041613C and a “BEST BY” code of 101614. Updated Lawsuit Information: Lawsuits against Costco and Townsend Farms have been filed. There are now over 60 people diagnosed with Hepatitis A who are part of this outbreak, and health officials predict that the outbreak will grow. You can … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A from Costco Berries, Sickened Customers Contact Lawyers
The lawyers at Pritzker Hageman have been fielding calls all day from people with questions about hepatitis A from Costco berries. Pritzker and his team are representing Costco customers who contracted hepatitis A after eating Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend, a berry mix with pomegranate seeds. This product has been implicated in a hepatitis A outbreak that has sickened over 60 people in 7 states. Townsend Farms issued a Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend recall on June 3. "Many people contacting us are unaware that a hepatitis A vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure to a contaminated product," said Pritzker. "We want consumers to know that they need to get to their doctors as soon as possible to find out if they need a vaccination." … [Read more...]
Townsend Farms Organic Frozen Berries Suspected Source of Hepatitis A Outbreak in AZ, CA, CO, NM and NV
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 … [Read more...]
