HARTFORD, June 27 – Due to concerns about Hepatitis A virus contamination, eight- ounce bags of Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels are being removed from Connecticut store shelves today as part of a voluntary recall by producer Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon.

Consumers who already have the resealable plastic pouches of pomegranate kernels are urged not to consume them, but to immediately dispose of the kernels and keep the proof of purchase.

Department of Consumer Protection food inspectors are working to ensure stores’ compliance with this recall.

Scenic Fruit Company announced the voluntary recall based on an ongoing FDA and CDC investigation of an illness outbreak, however, no illnesses are currently associated with the kernels. The company’s decision to recall products is made from an abundance of caution. The organic pomegranates are imported from Turkey.

Products were shipped from February 2013 through May 2013 to distribution centers in Connecticut, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington State.

The organic pomegranate kernels are sold in eight-ounce resealable plastic pouches with UPC Code 0 42563 01628 9. Specific coding information to identify the product can be found on the back portion of these pouches below the zip-lock seal. The following lots are subject to this recall:

• 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

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. Illness generally occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool. However, Hepatitis A vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure to contaminated food. In rare cases, particularly consumers who have a pre- existing severe illness or are immune compromised, Hepatitis A infection can progress to liver failure.

Persons who may have consumed the affected product should consult with their health care professional or local health department to determine if a vaccination is appropriate, and consumers with symptoms of Hepatitis A should contact their health care professionals or the local health department immediately.

For questions or more information, contact the Scenic Fruit Company at 877-927-3434 or email to info@scenicfruit.com from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PDT

###