SUN ORCHARD ADDS AN ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION CODE TO ITS UNPASTEURIZED ORANGE JUICE RECALLED BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK

HHS NEWS

P99-30                           FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            Print Media:         301-827-6242
November 19, 1999                
                                 Consumer Inquiries:  888-INFO-FDA

SUN ORCHARD ADDS AN ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION CODE TO ITS UNPASTEURIZED ORANGE JUICE RECALLED BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK

FDA today announced that Sun Orchard, Inc., of Tempe, Ariz., has expanded its nationwide recall of unpasteurized orange juice sold under a variety of brand names, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long term complications can include severe arthritis.

Although the company issued a warning on November 12 and has undertaken a recall of the affected product, and FDA issued a warning on November 16, Sun Orchard is again taking action because another lot of potentially contaminated product is being reported by the firm and has been distributed to three additional states.

The new lot of unpasteurized orange juice sold in gallon containers under the brand names Sun Orchard, Sysco, and gallon and one half gallon unlabeled product and is identified with lot 9308 "Enjoy by " 11/20/99. This lot was distributed to hotels, restaurants and other food service establishments in Illinois, Kansas, and Michigan. Consumers should inquire about the source of any unpasteurized orange juice they may be served at a restaurant or other dining facility.

The lots of unpasteurized orange juice recalled last week were distributed to restaurants and other food service establishments in California, Washington, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, and British Colombia, Canada and to one retail store, Zupan Grocery, in Portland, Oregon. These products were sold in gallon, quart, pint and 1/2 pint clear plastic containers marked with the following:

• 9306 "Enjoy by" 11/18/99
• 9307 "Enjoy by" 11/19/99
• 9309 "Enjoy by" 11/21/99
• 9309 "Enjoy by" 11/22/99
• 9309 "Enjoy by" 11/23/99.

The following labels were involved: Sun Orchard, Sysco, Aloha, and Zupan. Unlabeled 1/2 pint containers were sold to Epicurean Provisions, Tempe, Arizona for the Enchantment Resort.

To date no illnesses have been reported in connection with any of these lots of product including the lot that is the subject of this release.

Production of the unpasteurized product has been suspended. FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem. To date, no definitive conclusions have been reached about the possible source of this problem.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800- 505-8423.

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