Oregon Berry Commissions Stress No Oregon Berries Used In Frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend
Oregon’s three state Berry Commissions, the Oregon Strawberry Commission, The Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission and the Oregon Blueberry Commission are assuring consumers that no berries from the state’s farms were used in the Organic Antioxidant Blend recently identified as being involved in a multi-state Hepatitis–A outbreak. In fact, none of the berries were grown in the United States. Mike Townsend of Townsend Farms has confirmed that all berries used in the frozen product were imported from other countries.
Townsend Farms is implementing a voluntary recall after learning that one of the ingredients of the Organic Antioxidant Blend, pomegranate seeds processed in Turkey, may be linked to an illness outbreak. The Townsend Farms product may have been contaminated as a result of pomegranate seeds in their Costco and Harris Teeter recalled mixes.
Katy Coba, Director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, said, “with harvest already underway in our state and taking place for the next couple of months, no one should be concerned about Oregon grown berries. They continue to be safe, delicious, and good for you.”
The Oregon berry industry continues to be a strong advocate for food safety and sponsors statewide trainings for produce growers and field workers to help assure the implementation of good agricultural practices. All Oregon packing facilities are inspected annually to ensure the berries grown in Oregon are safe, healthful and grown and packed with the highest food safety standards.
For detailed recommendations for consumers, please visit the following website:http://tinyurl.com/outbreakinfo
Media Contact Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission - Cat McKenzie | 541-456-2264 | catmc@peak.org
Media Contact Oregon Blueberry Commission - Bryan Ostlund | 503-364-2944 | bryan@ostlund.com
Media Contact Oregon Strawberry Commission - Laura Conroy | 541-758-4043 | info@oregon-strawberries.org