Nunavut health officials: Costco fruit product linked to hepatitis A

If you have this product in your freezer, known as Nature’s Touch Organic Berry Cherry Blend, throw it out, the Government of Nunavut’s health department warns. (PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA IMAGE)

This product, known as Nature’s Touch Organic Berry Cherry Blend, was sold at Costco outlets in five provices, the Government of Nunavut’s health department says. If you have it in your freezer, throw it out, because it has been linked to hepatitis A. (PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA IMAGE)

If you have a product called Nature’s Touch Organic Berry Cherry Blend sitting in your freezer, throw it out now, the Government of Nunavut’s health department warns in a health advisory.

That’s because it may be contaminated by the virus that cases hepatitis A, a nasty acute liver infection.

This past April 15, the Public Health Agency of Canada issued a recall order for the frozen fruit product, which is linked to outbreaks of hepatitis A infection in three provinces.

The Nature’s Touch Organic Berry Cherry Blend product is sold exclusively at Costco outlets in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, the federal agency said.

Though there’s no Costco outlet in Nunavut, the GN warns it’s possible some Nunavut residents may have bought the product and taken it back home.

“Though there isn’t a Costco in Nunavut, Nunavummiut may have purchased the frozen fruit from a Costco location listed, and brought it back to the territory,” the GN health advisory said.

The GN also says anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to the recalled product, or displays symptoms of hepatitis A, should see a health care provider immediately.

Hepatitis A is an acute form of hepatitis that eventually goes away and does not lead to chronic liver disease.

The illness usually starts 15 to 50 days after contact with contaminated food and can last for periods of time ranging from one week to six months.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says the disease can cause inflammation of the liver and that symptoms include fever, low appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and yellowing in the whites of the eyes and the skin, a symptom also known as jaundice.