Frozen berry mix sold at Costco recalled over possible hepatitis A contamination

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a frozen berry mix sold exclusively at Costco due to possible hepatitis A contamination.

The federal agency is recalling 1.5kg bags of Nature's Touch Organic Cherry Berry Blend with best-before dates up to and including March 15, 2018.

The bags are sold at Costco warehouse locations in Ontario, as well as Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The bags have a UPC code of 8 73668 00179 1.

Consumers are being warned not to consume the product, even though it may not look or smell spoiled. Throw the product out or return it to the store it was purchased from.

"There have been reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product," the CFIA says in the recall notice.

The recall follows an investigation into a foodborne illness outbreakthat's been linked to the frozen fruit blend, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

According to PHAC, there have been 12 cases of hepatitis A in three provinces: nine in Ontario, two in Quebec and 1 in Newfoundland and Labrador. The patients fell ill in February and March of this year, PHAC says on its website.

"Some of the individuals who became ill have reported eating the recalled product," PHAC says.

"Three cases have been hospitalized."

According to the CFIA, a food safety investigation is ongoing that"may lead to the recall of other products."

Eating food contaminated with hepatitis A can still cause illness that does not lead to chronic infection or liver disease, according to the recall notice.

"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 six months in some people," the notice says.

It can cause inflammation of the liver, and symptoms may include:

• fever
• low appetite
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• muscle aches
• yellowing in the whites of the eyes and the skin (jaundice)