Recalled Pomegranate Seeds Distributed in Illinois
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 2013
Contact
Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health (217) 531-2909
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Recalled Pomegranate Seeds Distributed in Illinois
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Consumers to Check Their Freezers for Recalled Pomegranate Seeds
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) received notice from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regarding a recall of pomegranate seeds. IDPH recommends checking the brand of frozen pomegranate seeds or a mixture containing pomegranate seeds purchased since February prior to eating them.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have determined the most likely source of a multistate Hepatitis A virus outbreak is a common shipment of pomegranate seeds from Turkey used in the Townsend Farms and Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Blends. These seeds were also used by Scenic Fruit Company to make its Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels. The companies have voluntarily recalled these products.
As of June 27, 2013, 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). To date, 11 Illinois counties have received the Scenic Fruit Company product, although no illnesses have yet been linked to this product. Counties include 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.
Persons who may have consumed the 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 it; the product should be disposed of immediately. Keep proof of product purchase.
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
For more information on CUPHD and available services, please visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.