Wrongful death suit filed in Costco hepatitis A outbreak

March 25, 2015

Wrongful death suit filed in Costco hepatitis A outbreak The first wrongful death suit was filed in California Tuesday against Costco, Townsend Farms and other suppliers related to the 2013 hepatitis A outbreak linked to a Townsend Farms frozen berry blend product sold at Costco stores.

CDC identified pomegranate arils contained in Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend as the source of approximately 165 hepatitis A illnesses across 10 states. An investigation was launched by CDC in May of 2013 that identified imported Turkish pomegranate seeds were incorporated into the berry product.

According to attorneys representing the victim, the suit was filed on behalf of the estate of Virginia Jolson and her surviving children. Jolson, 88, died in May of 2013 after being hospitalized in March for symptoms related to hepatitis A. Her attorneys say Jolson consumed the frozen berries in smoothies during the weeks that preceded her illness.

Jeremy Gerrard was Food Engineering's Digital/Online Editor. He is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in journalism. His previous work experience includes years spent as a reporter with the Daily Local News out of Chester County, PA. In addition to writing feature articles for Food Engineering, Jeremy covered the Dry Processing, Field Reports and People and Industry news sections.

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