Oregon's Townsend Farms expands voluntarily recall of its frozen organic fruit blend due to hepatitis A contamination, says FDA, which plans to detain shipments of pomegranate seeds from Turkish company that's linked to product

Nevin Barich

WASHINGTON , June 30, 2013 (press release) – Townsend Farms, Inc. of Fairview, Oregon, out of an abundance of caution and in cooperation with the FDA is expanding its voluntary recall efforts and is now recalling Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend, 3 lb. bag with UPC 0 78414 40444 8. The recall codes are located on the back of the package with the words "BEST BY" followed by the code T122114 sequentially through T053115, followed by a letter. All letter designations are included in the voluntary recall. The voluntary recall is occurring because of a potential hepatitis A contamination. The voluntary recall efforts are based on epidemiological and trace-back evidence resulting from an ongoing outbreak investigation conducted by the FDA and the CDC. Photos of the package are attached.

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. Hepatitis A vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure to a contaminated food. In rare cases, particularly consumers who have a pre-existing severe illness or are immune-compromised, hepatitis A infection can progress to liver failure.

Persons who may have consumed affected product should consult with their health care professional or local health department to determine if a vaccination is appropriate, and consumers with symptoms of hepatitis A should contact their health care professionals or the local health department immediately. Consumers with the product should not consume the product. The product should be disposed of immediately. Please keep proof of product purchase.

Townsend Farms is providing this Update #3 after the FDA and the CDC confirmed that the epidemiological evidence supports a clear association between the hepatitis A illness outbreak and one lot of organic pomegranate seeds used in the Frozen Organic Antioxidant blend subject to the voluntary recall. The implicated lot of pomegranate seeds were imported from Turkey through Goknur and Purely Pomegranate, Inc. The FDA has tested the recalled product and the results to date have not detected hepatitis A.

The FDA has also reported that the epidemiological evidence does not support an association between the illness outbreak and the four other berry products (raspberry, blueberry, strawberry and dark cherry) in the Frozen Organic Antioxidant blend (and which have also been used in other Townsend Farms, Inc. Frozen Organic products) or any other Fresh or Frozen berry products produced by Townsend Farms, Inc.

Finally, as part of the ongoing investigation, the FDA, in cooperation with Townsend Farms, Inc. has completed a directed inspection of the company's frozen fruit repacking operations. The FDA found no evidence linking either the Townsend Farms, Inc.'s repacking facility or any food handler who had possible contact with the product to the source of the illness outbreak.

This expansion does NOT AFFECT the previous voluntary recall information regarding Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Berry Blend, 10 oz. bag UPC 0 72036 70463 4. For additional information regarding the voluntarily recalled Harris Teeter product visit the FDA website http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm355166.htm.

TOWNSEND FARMS, INC. is committed to producing the highest quality products, and is a certified Safety Quality Food facility. Townsend Farms, Inc. follows industry Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and sanitation procedures to ensure that its food products are safely handled and processed.

For questions or more information, contact a Townsend Farms Customer Service Representative by phone or e-mail at 1-800-875-5291; townsendfarms5148@stericycle.com.

Customer service representatives will be available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PDT to respond to inquiries.

Thank you so much from The Townsend Farm Family.

Mike Townsend, President Townsend Farms, Inc. Margaret Townsend, Vice President Townsend Farms, Inc.

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