Orchid Island Juice Company of Fort Pierce, Florida, is voluntarily recalling all unpasteurized orange juice (only) with a code date of 7/25/05 or earlier and all unpasteurized frozen orange juice with expiration codes of 04-25-2007 through 07-08-2007 for Just Pik’t and Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company brands, 18-04-2008 through 10-06-2008 for Floridella brands, bottle codes S3.2007.04.27 through S2.2007.06.27 for Herders and St. Marc brands, and bottle code OE55 S1125 for the Sundecker brand. Unpasteurized frozen juice is sold in liter, 60 oz, 1800 ml, 1750 ml, and 250 ml sizes. These products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium, a germ that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Otherwise healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications can include severe arthritis.
Orchid Island Juice Company distributes unpasteurized orange juice and unpasteurized frozen orange juice in the following states: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, and internationally to Canada, France, and Japan. Consumers may have purchased or consumed the product through retail or foodservice establishments such as restaurants, hotels, resorts, or country clubs.
Orchid Island Juice Company’s unpasteurized orange juice can be identified by the following labels: Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company, Ultimate Juice, Albritton Fruit, Finagle A Bagel, Gourmet Garage, Kings Market, Nino Salvaggio, Schnucks, Wegmans, Balducci’s, and Zabars. Unpasteurized orange juice is sold in gallon, quart, pint, 12 oz, and 8 oz sizes. All containers are made of plastic and are clear in color so the orange juice is visible.
To date there has been 15 suspected cases of illness. The company is working with FDA to cooperatively determine the source of contamination. The company will initiate temporary delicate flash pasteurization of orange juice pending a thorough investigation.
Domestic consumers who have purchased unpasteurized orange juice and/or unpasteurized frozen orange juice distributed by Orchid Island Juice Company should throw the juice away and return just the container to the store of purchase for a full refund. International customers need to place the product on “hold”. Consumers with questions may contact Orchid Island Juice Company directly at 772-465-1122.