The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall on a frozen pomegranate product that could be associated with a nationwide outbreak of hepatitis A.
The FDA has recalled specific lots of Woodstock Frozen Pomegranate Kernels that were sold across various stores in San Diego County.
According to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), the pomegranate product was sold in eight-ounce pouches (package label pictured above) with the UPC Code “0 42563 01628 9” imprinted on the back portion of the packaging, below the zip-lock seal.
The FDA says the recalled lots include:
- C 0129 (A,B, or C) 035 with a best by date of 02/04/2015
- C 0388 (A,B, or C) 087 with a best by date of 03/28/2015
- C 0490 (A,B, or C) 109 with a best by date of 04/19/2015
Health officials urge consumers who bought these lots to throw away the product immediately, but keep the proof of purchase.
The recalled lots of the Woodstock product contain pomegranate seeds imported from Turkey linked to a multi-state outbreak of hepatitis A that struck in late May and earlier this month.
The seeds were also used inside Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend of frozen berries sold at Costco. That particular product was linked to 127 cases of hepatitis A nationwide, including 15 cases in San Diego County.
In local cases, infected individuals reported eating the berry blend before becoming ill.
On May 31, the California Department of Public Health issued a warning to consumers to not eat the Townsend Farms berry blend.
Although this Woodstock product has not been linked to any illnesses, the recall has been issued as a precaution.
Health officials say anyone who ate a product containing these pomegranate seeds should contact their healthcare provider, especially if they’ve never been vaccinated for hepatitis A.
The risk of contracting the disease from the seeds is low, but health officials say common symptoms of hepatitis A include mild fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, abdomen pain, dark urine and jaundice. Symptoms may appear two to seven weeks after exposure.
Hepatitis A varies in severity, and it’s important to seek medical attention right away.
Anyone who ate the tainted Woodstock Frozen Pomegranate Kernels product can visit the FDA website for more details on the recall. Consumers can also call the Scenic Fruit Company at (877) 927-3434 Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Consumers with questions about possible exposure to hepatitis A can read more information on the County website or contact the HHSA Epidemiology Program at (619) 692-8499. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention also has information about the hepatitis A outbreak here.
Photo Credit: FDA