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http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2005/NEW01203.html
FDA Issues Nationwide Health Alert on Orchid Island Unpasteurized Orange Juice Products

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a nationwide warning to consumers against drinking unpasteurized orange juice products distributed under a variety of brand names by Orchid Island Juice Company of Fort Pierce, Florida, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium and have been associated with an outbreak of human disease caused by this organism.

Salmonella Typhimurium is a germ that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Otherwise healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long- term complications can include severe arthritis.

To date there have been reports of 15 cases of a matching strain of illness directly linked to a history of consumption of Orchid Island Juice from mid-May to June in Michigan, Ohio and Massachusetts. In addition, at least 16 other states have reported cases of Salmonella Typhimurium infection that match this specific strain. Further investigations are underway to determine if these infections are also related to these products or not.

"FDA is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our state partners to identify the source of the problem and its scope," said Dr. Robert Brackett, Director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. "It is important to note, however, that the vast majority of orange juice sold in stores is pasteurized and safe to drink."

The unpasteurized product comes in a variety of containers distributed to retail stores and restaurants under various brand names. The products are identified on the labels as freshly squeezed or fresh orange juice. The following labels are involved: Nino Salvaggio's, Westborn Market, and Natalie's Orchid Island Juice. Orchid Island Juice bottles products under other brand names that have not yet been provided to FDA by the company.

These products do not bear a warning label that the juice is unpasteurized. Such warning labels do appear on many unpasteurized juice products, so consumers should not assume these products are safe to consume simply because they do not bear the "unpasteurized" warning label.

Individuals who believe they have become ill as a result of drinking this unpasteurized juice should consult their health care provider and contact their local health department.

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FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Orchid Island Juice Co. Recalls Unpasteurized Orange Juice

Contact:
Orchid Island Juice Company
772-465-1122.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --Fort Pierce, FL. -- July 15, 2005--- Orchid Island Juice Company of Fort Pierce, Florida, is voluntarily recalling all unpasteurized orange juice (only) with a code date of 7/25/05 or earlier and all unpasteurized frozen orange juice with expiration codes of 04-25-2007 through 07-08-2007 for Just Pik’t and Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company brands, 18-04-2008 through 10-06-2008 for Floridella brands, bottle codes S3.2007.04.27 through S2.2007.06.27 for Herders and St. Marc brands, and bottle code OE55 S1125 for the Sundecker brand. Unpasteurized frozen juice is sold in liter, ¼ liter, 60 oz, 1800 ml, 1750 ml, and 250 ml sizes. These products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium, a germ that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Otherwise healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications can include severe arthritis.

Orchid Island Juice Company distributes unpasteurized orange juice and unpasteurized frozen orange juice in the following states: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, and internationally to Canada, France, and Japan. Consumers may have purchased or consumed the product through retail or foodservice establishments such as restaurants, hotels, resorts, or country clubs.

Orchid Island Juice Company’s unpasteurized orange juice can be identified by the following labels: Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company, Ultimate Juice, Albritton Fruit, Finagle A Bagel, Gourmet Garage, Kings Market, Nino Salvaggio, Schnucks, Wegmans, Balducci’s, and Zabars. Unpasteurized orange juice is sold in gallon, ½ gallon, quart, pint, 12 oz, and 8 oz sizes. All containers are made of plastic and are clear in color so the orange juice is visible.

To date there has been 15 suspected cases of illness. The company is working with FDA to cooperatively determine the source of contamination. The company will initiate temporary delicate flash pasteurization of orange juice pending a thorough investigation.

Domestic consumers who have purchased unpasteurized orange juice and/or unpasteurized frozen orange juice distributed by Orchid Island Juice Company should throw the juice away and return just the container to the store of purchase for a full refund. International customers need to place the product on “hold”. Consumers with questions may contact Orchid Island Juice Company directly at 772-465-112
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls...uice07_15.html

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