Recall of the Week: Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berries due to possible hepatitis A contamination

Townsend
Farms Inc. is recalling certain lots of its frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend berries
because they may be contaminated with hepatitis A virus.

On June 3,
Townsend Farms recalled all of the berries sold at Costco under the 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 through T053115, followed by a letter.

The berries
were also sold at Harris Teeter stores from April 19 to May 7 under the product
name Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Berry Blend, 10 oz bag, and UPC 0 72036
70463 4, with a “BEST BY” code of T101614C and T041613E.

Consumers
shouldn’t eat the recalled berries, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention said. The berries should be disposed of immediately.

Consumers
should keep proof of purchase and contact Townsend Farms Customer Service by
phone at 800-875-5291 or e-mail townsendfarms5148@stericycle.com for a
refund.

A hepatitis
A vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure to the
contaminated product, according to the CDC. The agency has this advice for
consumers:

• If you
  consumed these berries in the last two weeks and have never been vaccinated,
  contact your health care provider to find out if you should be
  vaccinated. If you don’t have a health care provider, contact your health
  department. You can find your health department contact information at this website.

• If you
  have already received a hepatitis A vaccination in the past, you’re unlikely to
  become ill with the disease.

As of Friday, 79 people with acute hepatitis A
infections that may be linked to consumption of the contaminated berries have
been reported in eight states: Arizona, California Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada,
New Mexico, Utah, and Washington.

These numbers are expected to change as the
investigation continues, the CDC said.