Frozen berry recall hits Townsend Farms’ product sold at Costco

According to Yavapai County Community Health Services on Thursday, Townsend Farms, Inc. has notified Costco that a recent FDA test indicated that a domestic conventional frozen blackberry product manufactured may be contaminated with Hepatitis A. (Yavapai County/Courtesy)

According to Yavapai County Community Health Services on Thursday, Townsend Farms, Inc. has notified Costco that a recent FDA test indicated that a domestic conventional frozen blackberry product manufactured may be contaminated with Hepatitis A. (Yavapai County/Courtesy)

EDITOR'S NOTE: For a previous recall on frozen berries, click here.

According to Yavapai County Community Health Services on Thursday, Townsend Farms, Inc. has notified Costco that a recent FDA test indicated that a domestic conventional frozen blackberry product manufactured may be contaminated with Hepatitis A.

Townsend Farms used the domestic conventional frozen blackberry to manufacture the Kirkland Signature Three Berry Blend product with Best By Dates between Feb. 16, 2020, and May 4, 2020.

Costco sold the recalled conventional frozen Kirkland Three Berry Blend in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Hawaii and Nevada.

No product manufactured for Costco by Townsend Farms has tested positive for Hepatitis A. Costco has no product in its current inventory. Costco has been notifying its members about the potential health risk.

The Best By codes are:

KIRKLAND SIGNATURE THREE BERRY BLEND, 4 lb bag —

Best By codes located in the white box on the back of the Product bag:

FEB1620,(A),(B),(C),(D),(E),(F),(G), or (H);

FEB1820,(A),(B),(C),or (D);

FEB2920,(A),(B),(C),or (D);

MAR0120,(A),(B),(C),or (D);

APR1920,(B),(C), or (D);

APR2020(A),(B),(C),(D),(E), or (F);

APR2720(A),(B),(C),(D),(E),(F),(G), or (H);

APR2820(A),(B),(C),(D),(E),(F),(G), or (H);

MAY0220(A),(B),(C),(D),(E),(F),(G), or (H);

MAY0420 (H).

RECENT RECALL

On June 10, federal officials from the Food and Drug Administration warned consumers to avoid certain brands of frozen sold at Kroger and other grocery stores over fears of Hepatitis A virus contamination.

The berries were sold nationwide under the grocery store's "private selection" brand. The contamination was discovered during a frozen berry sampling by the FDA, the grocery chain said in a statement June 10.

Kroger recalled the following items, which were distributed to all Kroger family of store banners across the country:

-PRIVATE SELECTION FROZEN TRIPLE BERRY MEDLEY, 48 OZ (BEST BY: 07-07-20; UPC: 0001111079120);

-PRIVATE SELECTION FROZEN TRIPLE BERRY MEDLEY, 16 OZ (BEST BY: 06-19-20; UPC: 0001111087808);

-PRIVATE SELECTION FROZEN BLACKBERRIES, 16 OZ (BEST BY: 06-19-20, 07-02-20; UPC: 0001111087809)

According to the FDA and CDC there have been no customer illness reports to date related to any product manufactured by Townsend Farms, Inc., using these blackberries.

WHO TO CALL

Members who have purchased the above product should not consume it. Instead, photograph the product bag for your records, dispose of the product and contact your local Costco for a full refund.

Costco members who have questions should contact Townsend Farms, Inc., customer service representatives at 877-244- 0947 or by email at TownsendFarms4283@stericycle.com.

HEPATITIS A

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.

Information provided by Yavapai County Community Health Services.


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