Nature’s Touch has issued a voluntary recall of Nature’s Touch Frozen Organic Berry Cherry Blend in Canada over the suspected Hepatitis A contamination.
Nature's Touch Frozen Organic Berry Cherry Blend, with 'best before' dates up to and including 18 March 2015 and carry a UPC code of 8 73668 00179 1.
The product is sold at Costco warehouses located in Ontario, Quebec, Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.
The recall has been announced following investigations on a food-borne illness outbreak by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The products are suspected to be linked to a possible Hepatitis A contamination.
However, these findings are yet to be confirmed as CFIA's investigation into the matter is still underway.
On its website, Public Health Agency of Canada has claimed that 12 cases of Hepatitis A, linked to the product have been reported, with nine in Ontario, two in Quebec, and one in Newfoundland and Labrador. Among these, three cases were hospitalized.
Consumers who have purchased the product have been warned not to consume it. They have been advised to either discard it or return it at the store of purchase.
The CFIA notes that food contaminated with Hepatitis A virus may not appear or smell spoiled.
Usually, the illness begins in a span of 15 to 50 days after the contaminated food is consumed. It generally fades away by itself in a week or two. However, it can even last up to 6 months in some people.
The symptoms of hepatitis A include inflammation of the liver, fever, low appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and jaundice.