WinCo Red Raspberries Recalled: Berry Norovirus Contamination
As of yesterday, WinCo Foods had to recall frozen bags of red raspberries from 10 different states across the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently did a lab test on one of these bags and found a trace of Norovirus contamination.
The FDA is trying to persuade consumers to get rid of any bag implicated bag of frozen red raspberries from their freezers, kitchens and households as soon as possible to prevent berry norovirus contamination. The specific label and product information is listed here:
[WINCO FOODS FROZEN RED RASPBERRIES, 12 oz bag, UPC 0 70552 30501 4.]
Although the berry norovirus contamination was only found in one bag at the FDA lab, Norovirus contamination is a very serious issue, especially for a company as popular and as large as WinCo Foods. WinCo Foods, though it was originally named Waremart Foods, was founded in 1967 and has been a lead provider of affordable groceries for millions of Americans in the west and and south. The company prides itself in being part of the Certified Employee-Owned alliance, an alliance that “works to unite employee-owned companies with a common brand that will raise national awareness of employee ownership and provide a source of differentiation for its members.”
Speech Communications, B.A. from Whitworth University
As for the virus itself, Norovirus (and Norovirus contamination) is very serious. It is a highly contagious virus that causes diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Ways to get Norovirus, as with many viruses, include: direct contact with someone who is infected, eating a contaminated food or liquid, or touching a contaminated object and then putting your dirty hands into your mouth.
Protect Yourself from Berry Norovirus Contamination
To protect yourself and others from Norovirus, or objects and surfaces that may have Norovirus contamination, be sure to wash your hands often, rinse all fruits and vegetables, stay home when sick and cook all shellfish thoroughly. As younger kids are more likely to put hands in their mouths, be sure to watch them carefully throughout the day and keep their hands clean.
With summer getting into full swing, people are buying a variety of frozen fruits for popsicles, smoothies, milkshakes, and ice cream toppers. If you are that person, be absolutely sure that you are checking online for information about recent food recalls and other food contaminations in your area simply by searching “Food recalls” on Google or your personal search browser.
For added information on this specific food recall, more information about WinCo Foods, or further information on how to protect yourself and others from berry Norovirus contamination, please refer to the resources below:
