Picky Eaters Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of Jordan River dates 1kg and 5kg. The product has been available for sale online and at IGA and Independent supermarkets in NSW.
Date markings
Expiry date: June 2022
Batch: JRD 1/2021
Problem
The recall is due to potential microbial (Hepatitis A) contamination.
Food safety hazard
Food products contaminated with Hepatitis A may cause illness if consumed.
Country of origin
Jordan
What to do
Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is collaborating with provincial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of Hepatitis Ainfections occurring in Québec and Nova Scotia. The outbreak appears to be ongoing, as recent illnesses continue to be reported to PHAC.
Based on the investigation findings to date, exposure to frozen mangoes has been identified as a likely source of the outbreak. Two of the individuals who became sick reported consuming frozen mangoes before their illnesses occurred. Leftover frozen mangoes were collected from the homes of ill individuals and tested positive for Hepatitis A.
The CFIA has issued a food recall warning for various frozen mangoes sold under various brands. The recalled products have been distributed in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories. More information on the recalled products is available on CFIA’s website.
Canadians are advised not to eat any recalled food products. If you suspect you have been exposed to recalled products, or have symptoms consistent for Hepatitis A, see your health care provider immediately. Vaccination can prevent the onset of symptoms if given within 14 days of exposure. This notice contains more advice on how to avoid getting sick.
This public health notice will be updated as the investigation evolves.
Investigation summary
As of July 31, 2021, there are three laboratory-confirmed cases of Hepatitis A illness being investigated in the following provinces: Québec (2), and Nova Scotia (1). Individuals became sick between late March 2021 and mid June 2021. No hospitalizations or deaths have been reported. Individuals who became ill are between 23 and 63 years of age. The majority of cases (67%) are female.
The CFIA is continuing its food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated food recall warnings.
It is possible that more recent illnesses may be reported in the outbreak because there is a period of time between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported to public health officials. For this outbreak, the illness reporting period is between two and six weeks.
Who is most at risk
Hepatitis A infections can occur among people of all ages; however, although rare, the severity of illness increases with age. Those with underlying liver disease are also at increased risk for severe illness.
If you have been exposed to Hepatitis A it is possible to spread the virus to other people before you experience any symptoms.
If you suspect you have been exposed to recalled products , or have symptoms consistent for Hepatitis A, see your health care provider immediately. Vaccination can prevent the onset of symptoms if given within 14 days of exposure.
If you are unsure whether a frozen mango product you have in your home is part of the food recall warning, do not consume it. Secure the product in a plastic bag, throw it out and wash your hands with warm soapy water.
If you order food and drinks containing frozen mangoes at a restaurant or food establishment, ask the staff whether the mangoes are part of the food recall warning. If they are, or if they don’t know, don’t eat or drink these food products.
Wash and sanitize any drawers or shelves in fridge and freezer areas where recalled products were stored.
Wash your hands before and after preparing or eating food, and after using the washroom or changing diapers.
If you have been diagnosed with Hepatitis A, do not prepare or serve food and drinks to others.
If you have been exposed to Hepatitis A, it is possible to spread the virus to other people before you experience any symptoms.
Symptoms
Not everyone who is infected will have symptoms. Symptoms are more likely to occur in adults than in children. Symptoms of hepatitis A include:
fever
dark urine
loss of appetite
fatigue (tiredness)
nausea and vomiting
stomach cramps or abdominal pain
jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
After you have been exposed to hepatitis A, symptoms typically appear 14 to 28 days later, but may occur up to 50 days later.
Symptoms usually last less than two months. Mild symptoms may last only one or two weeks, while severe symptoms can last up to nine months.
What is the Government of Canada doing
The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the health of Canadians from enteric disease outbreaks.
The Public Health Agency of Canada leads the human health investigation into an outbreak and is in regular contact with its federal, provincial and territorial partners to monitor the situation and to collaborate on steps to address an outbreak.
Health Canada provides food-related health risk assessments to determine whether the presence of a certain substance or microorganism poses a health risk to consumers.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency conducts food safety investigations into the possible food source of an outbreak.
Epidemiological information
Figure 1 is an epidemiological curve for this outbreak, which shows the numbers of new cases by week. Outbreak investigators use this information to show when illnesses begin when they peak and when they trail off. It can take several weeks from the time a person becomes ill to when the illness is reported and testing confirms a link to the outbreak. Data are available for 3 cases.
Figure 1. Number of people infected with Hepatitis AFigure 1 – Text description
Ottawa, July 30, 2021 – Nature’s Touch Frozen Food Inc. is recalling various frozen mangoes from the marketplace due to possible Hepatitis A contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.
Recalled products
Brand
Product
Size
UPC
Codes
Nature’s Touch
Mangoes
(frozen)
2 kg
8 73668 00180 7
Best Before
2022 NO 09
Compliments
Mango Mania
(frozen)
600 g
0 55742 50430 9
Best Before
2022 NO 10 and
2022 DE 18
Irresistibles
Mango Chunks
(frozen)
600 g
0 59749 87600 1
Best Before
2022 NO 10
President’s Choice
Mango Chunks
(frozen)
600 g
0 60383 99387 0
Best Before
2022 NO 06 and
2022 NO 10
What you should do
If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.
Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.
Food contaminated with Hepatitis A virus may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this virus may cause hepatitis and produce a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection or chronic liver disease. The illness is usually mild and starts about 15 to 50 days after the contaminated food is eaten. It generally goes away by itself in a week or two, although it can last up to 6 months in some people. It can cause inflammation of the liver, and symptoms may include fever, low appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and yellowing in the whites of the eyes and the skin (jaundice).
This recall was triggered by findings during an investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.
The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled products from the marketplace.
Illnesses
There have been reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), in cooperation with Huddle House in Hamilton, is investigating a food handler who is infected with hepatitis A virus. As a preventative measure, ADPH is suggesting customers who consumed food, whether dine-in, pickup, or delivery between the dates of July 9 through July 21, 2021, be identified. These patrons may need the hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin to reduce their chance of illness.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), in cooperation with Applebee’s Restaurant in Montgomery, is investigating a food handler who is infected with hepatitis A virus. As a preventative measure, ADPH is suggesting customers who consumed food, whether dine-in, pickup, or delivery, between the dates of July 8 through July 16, 2021, be identified. These patrons may need the hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin to reduce their chance of illness.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that can be transmitted person-to-person and by eating food or drinks prepared by an infected person. Hepatitis A vaccine can prevent infection, but only if given within 14 days of exposure to hepatitis A. The hepatitis A vaccine can be given to persons over 12 months of age who have not completed the two-dose hepatitis A vaccination series. Persons over 40 years old may also receive immune globulin.
A case of hepatitis A has been diagnosed in an employee who recently handled food at Zayde’s Deli located at 6560 Poplar Avenue. This employee worked during a period of time when ill or infectious and potentially exposed customers to the virus.
Anyone who consumed food or drink at Zayde’s Deli or consumed take-out meals from the restaurant between June 29th and July 7th, is advised to receive a hepatitis A vaccination as soon as possible as a preventative measure. Potentially exposed persons may receive the vaccination from their health care provider or from one of the Health Department’s clinics listed here: https://www.shelbytnhealth.com/Facilities. While no appointment is needed, appointments may be made by calling our appointment line at 901-222-9980.hep
People are sick in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong after eating oysters contaminated with norovirus.
Reports suggest at least 100 people are ill in the UK with 12 cases in Hong Kong from raw oysters produced by Whitstable Oyster Company in the UK.
Specialists from Public Health England (PHE), the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and environmental health teams in Thanet and Canterbury in England are investigating reports of people falling ill with vomiting and diarrhea after eating oysters in late May and early June.
“We are supporting PHE and the local authorities’ investigations into an outbreak of suspected norovirus and we are reiterating our advice to consumers that they should be aware of the risks of eating raw oysters. Elderly people, pregnant women, very young children and people who have a weakened immune system should avoid eating raw or lightly cooked shellfish to reduce their risk of getting food poisoning,” said an FSA statement.
FoodWorld 