Costco Product Linked to Hepatitis A Outbreak
Health officials have linked at least 30 cases of hepatitis A across five states to a food product that's sold at Costco. And they are bracing for that number to increase.
Health officials have linked at least 30 cases of hepatitis A to a frozen berry and pomegranate mix that’s sold at Costco. The illnesses have so far been reported in California, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, but authorities are bracing for the outbreak to spread.
The product–called the Townsend Farms Organic Anti-oxidant Blend Frozen Berry Mix–has been pulled from store shelves. Costco is reportedly notifying any of its members who bought the item since late February.
Wait, before you go…USA Today:
Health officials don’t yet know if the product was sold at other stores or markets. They do know that frozen berry blends are often used to make smoothies, frozen bar drinks and other types of desserts and drinks. One concern is that smaller businesses might have bought bulk frozen berries at Costco and then used them in other products.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by a virus. Of the people who’ve been sickened in this outbreak, 47% have been hospitalized, the CDC said. Some people who contract it have no symptoms but many have fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal and joint pain.
The virus is most often transmitted when an infected food handler prepares food with dirty hands. Food contaminated with hepatitis A can also transmit the disease to people who ate or handled it.
If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.
Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.
Support Truthdig
Labor
New accounts from workers contrast sharply with what chemical giants have said on the record about safety at their facilities.
Health & Wellness
The medical evidence is clear: The coronavirus global health threat is not an elaborate hoax. Bill Gates did not create the coronavirus to sell more vaccines. Essential oils are not effective at protecting you from coronavirus. But those facts have not stopped contrary claims from spreading both on and offline.
It can feel like everyone is stewing in anxiety about COVID-19 and seeing other people freak out can make you freak out more. A psychiatrist explains this phenomenon, and how to keep it in check.
The response to the coronavirus pandemic reveals that it’s possible to significantly reduce emissions that cause air pollution and climate change.
Agencies, local authorities and national governments do not agree on who should be quarantined or what that should actually look like.
With 17 times as many new infections outside China as in it, Italy and Iran close schools; travel and events are canceled; and markets yo-yo.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.