 The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention have determined the most likely source of a
multistate hepatitis A virus outbreak is a common shipment of
pomegranate seeds from Turkey that was used in the Townsend Farms
and Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Blends. These seeds were also
used by Scenic Fruit Co. to make its Woodstock Frozen Organic
Pomegranate Kernels. Both companies have voluntarily recalled these
products.As of June 27, the CDC confirmed 127 people have become
ill from hepatitis A after eating Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant
Blend in eight states: Arizona, 17; California, 64; Colorado, 25;
Hawaii, 7; New Mexico, 5; Nevada, 5; Utah, 2; and Wisconsin, 2.
"It's important for people who have recently bought frozen
pomegranate seeds or blends that contain pomegranate seeds to check
for the recalled brands -- Townsend Farms or Scenic Fruit. If you
have either of these brands, you will want to dispose of them," said
Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, director of the Illinois Department of Public
Health.
To date, 11 Illinois counties have received Scenic Fruit Co.
product, although no illnesses have yet been linked to this product.
The 11 counties are Adams, Champaign, Cook, DuPage, Jackson, Lake,
Madison, McLean, Peoria, Sangamon and St. Clair.
Hepatitis A symptoms may include fatigue, poor appetite, fever,
vomiting, darker urine and jaundice. Symptoms can appear from 15 to
50 days after exposure but usually within 28 to 30 days of being
exposed to the virus.
If you have eaten the recalled pomegranate seeds and are ill or
have concerns, talk with your health care provider.
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The following website links contain recall notification
information including photos of the product packaging:
Townsend Farms
(Townsend Farms Antioxidant Blend and Harris Teeter Antioxidant
Blend):
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm355166.htm
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm359140.htm
Scenic Fruit
(Woodstock Organic Pomegranate Kernels):
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm358740.htm
The following website links contain updates on the hepatitis A
investigation:
FDA:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/
RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/
Outbreaks/ucm354698.htm
CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/
Outbreaks/2013/A1b-03-31/index.html
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Public Health file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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