Nova Scotia Public Health’s actions related to hepatitis A amid reported
frozen fruit contamination
(Recall info below)
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is collaborating with provincial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of hepatitis A infections occurring in Québec and Nova Scotia Public Health has confirmed one case of hepatitis A in Nova Scotia.
Based on the investigation findings to date, exposure to frozen mangoes has been identified as a likely source of the outbreak.
If you suspect you have been exposed to recalled products, or have symptoms consistent with hepatitis A, see your health care provider immediately. For those without a health care provider, please call your local Public Health Office.
Vaccination can prevent the onset of symptoms if given within 14 days of last exposure to the recalled food. One dose of vaccine will be provided at no cost. Those who have been previously vaccinated (two doses of hepatitis A vaccine or one dose within the past six months) or are naturally immune through previous infection, do not require vaccination.
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. It’s different from other types of hepatitis, such as hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis A is most commonly spread when someone eats food or drinks water that contains the hepatitis A virus.
Not everyone who is infected will have symptoms. Symptoms are more likely to occur in adults than in children. Symptoms of hepatitis A include: fever, dark urine, loss of appetite, fatigue (tiredness), nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps or abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
After you have been exposed to hepatitis A, symptoms typically appear 14 to 28 days later, but may occur up to 50 days later. More information regarding Hepatitis A is available on the Hepatitis A General Information sheet.
Healthcare providers can issue a request for the hepatitis A vaccine by contacting their local Public Health office www.nshealth.ca/public-health-offices
Individuals with questions about signs and symptoms of hepatitis A can also call 811.
.
**** Recall via Health Canada
Nature’s Touch Frozen Food Inc. is recalling various frozen mangoes from the marketplace due to possible Hepatitis A contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.
Recalled products
Brand
Product
Size
UPC
Codes
Nature’s Touch
Mangoes
(frozen)
2 kg
8 73668 00180 7
Best Before
2022 NO 09
Compliments
Mango Mania
(frozen)
600 g
0 55742 50430 9
Best Before
2022 NO 10 and
2022 DE 18
Irresistibles
Mango Chunks
(frozen)
600 g
0 59749 87600 1
Best Before
2022 NO 10
President’s Choice
Mango Chunks
(frozen)
600 g
0 60383 99387 0
Best Before
2022 NO 06 and
2022 NO 10
What you should do
If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.
Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased. Food contaminated with Hepatitis A virus may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this virus may cause hepatitis and produce a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection or chronic liver disease. The illness is usually mild and starts about 15 to 50 days after the contaminated food is eaten. It generally goes away by itself in a week or two, although it can last up to 6 months in some people. It can cause inflammation of the liver, and symptoms may include fever, low appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and yellowing in the whites of the eyes and the skin (jaundice).
