Fairview, OR: Townsend Farms, Inc. of Fairview, Oregon, has issued a recall of certain lots of its frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend because the product has the potential to be contaminated with
Hepatitis A virus, based on an ongoing epidemiological and traceback investigation by the FDA and the CDC of an illness outbreak. This product is reportedly associated with at least 37 hepatitis A illnesses in 6 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico.
The product was sold at Costco warehouse stores under the product name 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 product was also sold at Harris Teeter stores from April 19 until May 7, 2013, under the product name 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, T0401613C and a "BEST BY"code of 101614.
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. Illness generally occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool. No other Townsend Farms products, frozen or fresh, are covered by this voluntary recall or linked to the illness outbreak at this time.
