Recalled Frozen Fruit: HPEPH’s Hepatitis A Response and Recommendations
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a food recall warning of Nature’s Touch Frozen Food Inc. frozen mangoes due to possible Hepatitis A contamination. The recalled products are:
- Nature’s Touch frozen mangoes 2 kg; UPC: 873668001807; Best before 2022 NO 09
- Compliments frozen mango mania 600 g; UPC: 055742504309; Best before 2022 NO 10/2022 DE 18
- Irresistibles frozen mango chunks 600 g; UPC: 059749876001; Best before 2022 NO 10
- President’s Choice frozen mango chunks 600 g; UPC: 060383993870; Best before 2022 NO 06/2022 NO 10
For more information on this recall please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website.
HPEPH’s Recommendations
Anyone with this frozen fruit is asked to discard the product or return it to the store. It should not be eaten. HPEPH is recommending that anyone over the age of 6 months and who has eaten the recalled product within the past 14 days receive Hepatitis A vaccination. Individuals previously immunized with two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine, require no further immunization.
HPEPH’s Response and Access to Hepatitis A Vaccination
HPEPH is providing Hepatitis A vaccination to individuals who have consumed the affected products on a drop-in basis Monday to Friday until Aug. 13, 2021 at 179 North Park Street, Belleville from 9 a.m. 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. When patients arrive, they should let reception know they need a Hepatitis A vaccine.
Hepatitis A Information for Patients
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus. Symptoms of Hepatitis A usually appear within 14 to 28 days of exposure but may take up to 50 days to appear. You may be infected and not have any symptoms. If you have symptoms, they can include fever, stomach pain, dark urine, nausea and vomiting, tiredness, loss of appetite, jaundice (skin and whites of eyes turn yellow), and clay or ash-coloured bowel movements.
Hepatitis A is usually spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the virus. It may also be spread through close contact with an infectious person.
For the more information on Hepatitis A, visit the HPEPH website.
Hepatitis A Vaccine Information for Primary Care Providers
The Hepatitis A (HA) vaccine is available to individuals 6 months of age and older. The vaccine will be publicly funded for individuals exposed to the virus due to this specific food contamination instance.
The recommended intervals for the 2-dose HA vaccine series are as follows:
Table 5: Hepatitis A (HA) immunization series
for high risk individuals ≥1 year of age |
| Recommended Intervals | Minimum Intervals |
| 1st dose 2nd dose, 6 to 36 months
after 1st dose (depending on vaccine) | 1st dose 2nd dose, 24 weeks after 1st dose |
(Ministry of Health, 2021)
HPEPH recommends that individuals exposed to Hepatitis A be immunized as soon as possible by attending HPEPH’s Belleville location at the times stipulated above.
Additional Resources:
Canadian Immunization Guide: Hepatitis A Vaccine
Ministry of Health Infectious Disease Protocol: Hepatitis A
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