The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is issuing a warning for consumers, after an investigation in B.C. over a series of hepatitis A cases found a certain frozen berry blend could be connected.
The CFIA and Overwaitea Food Group are warning the public to not consume the Western Family brand Pomeberry Blend.
The frozen product is sold in 600 g packages, with the UPC 0 62639 31347 0 and sold since November 2011, in B.C., Alberta and Ontario.
"At this point it's a precaution," Dr. Martin Lavoie, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health said. "In the cases that we've seen in B.C. five of the eight people have mentioned eating this product.
"So that's as far as we have right now in terms of information."
The recall is a result of an ongoing food safety investigation with the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control into eight cases of hepatitis A in B.C.
No hepatitis A cases have been reported in Alberta at this time.
Hepatitis A causes symptoms similar to the flu, including:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach cramps
- Jaundice, appearing several days after symptoms start
According to health officials, symptoms usually start within two to 7 weeks of initial exposure to the virus, and the symptoms are usually mild, and can last for one to two weeks, but severe cases can last for several months.
"Most people recover on their own," Dr. Monika Naus with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control said. "But some people can go on to have fatigue and just [feel] unwell for several months."
Officials said the issue is most likely linked to water, that had been contaminated by fecal matter.
Anyone who suspects they may have contracted the virus is asked to call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-LINK (5465), or their physician.
With files from Sean Amato
