This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Hepatitis A outbreak affects 118 people in eight states
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
As of June 18, a hepatitis A virus outbreak, potentially associated with a frozen food blend has infected 118 people across eight states, according to the FDA.
Forty-seven percent of those infected have been hospitalized but no deaths have been reported. CDC has conducted interviews with 116 of the infected people and 93 recalled eating the blend.
On June 14, The Jackson County Oregon Health Department warned people that Evo’s Coffee Lounge in Ashland, Oregon used the blend to produce its “Radically Free” smoothie served between May 17 and June 12.
Townsend Farms Inc. of Fairview, Ore., announced a recall, on June 4, of certain lots of its frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend because of a potential of contamination with hepatitis A virus, according to a company press release.
“At this time, hepatitis A has not been found in the product, but Townsend Farms is taking this precautionary action in consultation with the FDA, as the investigation continues,” according to the company release.
The recall was implemented after the company learned that one of the ingredients of the frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend, pomegranate seeds processed in Turkey, may be linked to an illness outbreak outside of the United States.
CDC recommends that consumers do not eat the blend and discard any remaining product. If some of the product has been eaten without anyone becoming ill, CDC still recommends disposal.
The CDC, the FDA, and state and local officials are working together and will provide updates as they become available.
Townsend Farms Inc. of Fairview, Ore., announced a recall of certain lots of its frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend because of a potential of contamination with hepatitis A virus, according to a company press release.