Officials have connected a frozen fruit product to an outbreak of Hepatitis A.
The product in question is a medley of frozen fruit, specifically organic berries and cherries, made by Nature’s Touch. According to Food Safety News, health officials are concerned with 1.5 kg, or 3.3 lb bags that have Best Before dates on or prior to March 15, 2018.
Nature’s Touch Organic Berry Cherry Blend had been sold at Costco locations in Canada, though it’s uncertain whether it was distributed to any other retailers or to the U.S. The Class I recall appears to be confined to Canada, as Costco has only posted a recall notice on its Canadian website and not on its U.S. website. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada’s count, there have been 12 reported cases of Hepatitis A in the country, with three hospitalizations.
“This recall was triggered by findings of the [Canadian Food Inspection Agency] during the investigation of a foodborne illness outbreak,” the CFIA wrote in its recall notice. People first became sick in February and March, and some of those who fell ill reported eating the product in question. Officials warn consumers to return products to the store or throw them away, adding that “food contaminated with Hepatitis A virus may not look or smell spoiled.”
Considering some small businesses/restaurants use Costco as their supplier, may want to avoid anything berry related for a while. edit: It looks like it is unknown if the product in question was sold to other retailers.
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. The disease is spread primarily through food or water contaminated by stool from an infected person.
Frozen Fruit sold at Costco locations in Canada linked to Hepatitis A outbreak
