Hepatitis A virus (genotype 1B) United States, Turkey · 2013

Hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen berry blend with pomegranate seeds, United States, 2013

CDC reported 165 people with hepatitis A in 10 states, 71 of them hospitalised and no deaths. The outbreak was linked to Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend, a frozen berry mix made by Townsend Farms, Inc. of Fairview, Oregon, containing pomegranate seeds from Turkey shipped by Goknur Foodstuffs Import Export Trading. Townsend Farms recalled certain lots in June 2013 and Scenic Fruit Company recalled Woodstock frozen pomegranate kernels.¹

Counts as reported on 28 October 2013.¹ Food vehicle: Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berries containing pomegranate seeds from Turkey. Company named in official findings: Townsend Farms, Inc. (product), Goknur Foodstuffs Import Export Trading (seed shipper).

Timeline

1. 31 March 2013Earliest illness onset reported by CDC.¹
2. 4 June 2013Townsend Farms voluntarily recalled certain lots.¹
3. 26 June 2013Scenic Fruit Company recalled Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels.¹
4. 28 June 2013Townsend Farms expanded its recall.¹
5. 28 October 2013CDC final update.¹

Sources

1. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Multistate outbreak of Hepatitis A virus infections linked to pomegranate seeds from Turkey (Final Update) (28 October 2013)