Recall: Woodstock frozen organic pomegranate kernels

GRESHAM, Ore., June 27 (UPI) -- Scenic Fruit Co. of Gresham, Ore., said it is voluntarily recalling 5,091 cases -- 61,092 8-ounce bags -- of Woodstock frozen organic pomegranate kernels.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said an epidemiological and trace-back investigation of an illness outbreak determined the kernels have the potential to be contaminated with hepatitis A virus.

Federal officials suspect the pomegranate kernels might be linked to another recall of Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berry and pomegranate mix, which might be the cause of 122 people confirmed ill from hepatitis A, oregonlive.com reported.

No illnesses had been associated with Woodstock frozen organic pomegranate kernels -- imported from Turkey -- and product testing to date showed no presence of hepatitis A virus in the product. The company said its decision to voluntarily recall the products was made from an abundance of caution in response to an ongoing outbreak investigation.

Products were shipped from February through May to distribution centers in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington state. The distribution centers might have further distributed products to retail stores in other states.

Woodstock organic pomegranate kernels are sold in 8-ounce resealable plastic pouches with UPC Code 0 42563 01628 9.

Consumers with the product should not eat the fruit and should be disposed of immediately, but keep proof of product purchase, health officials advises.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the hepatitis A virus, which can come from food. A hepatitis A vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure to a contaminated food.

People who may have consumed this product should consult with a healthcare professional or local health department to determine if a vaccination is appropriate.

For more information, contact the Scenic Fruit Co. at 877-927-3434 or email [email protected] Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PDT.