As of August 1, 2013, 158 people have been confirmed to have become ill from hepatitis A after eating ‘Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend’ in 10 states: Arizona (23), California (77), Colorado (28), Hawaii (8), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (9), Nevada (6), Utah (3), and Wisconsin (2). Currently, 6 of the confirmed cases are household contacts of confirmed cases (secondary cases).
11 children age 18 or under were also ill. None were previously vaccinated. Illness onset dates range from 3/31/2013 – 7/14/2013
69 (44%) ill people (all over 18 years of age) have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported
By combining information gained from FDA’s traceback and traceforward investigations and the CDC’s epidemiological investigation, FDA and CDC have determined that the most likely vehicle for the hepatitis A virus appears to be a common shipment of pomegranate seeds from a company in Turkey, Goknur Foodstuffs Import Export Trading.
FDA will detain shipments of pomegranate seeds from Goknur when they are offered for import into the United States.
These pomegranate seeds were used by Townsend Farms to make the Townsend Farms and Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Blends and by Scenic Fruit Company to make the Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels.