Youngstown Grape Distributors, Inc., based in Reedley, California, has announced a voluntary recall of Happy Moose Tropical Roots Juice and Happy Moose Strawberry Fields due to incomplete production processes, which could pose a health risk from potential pathogen contamination.
Background
The recall was initiated after the company received complaints of spoiled products.
The company said that the potential for spoilage was due to “a portion of the production made (that) did not complete the High Pressure Processing (HPP) treatment, which is used to prolong the product shelf-life, prevent spoilage, and significantly reduce the risk of pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and diarrheagenic E. coli.” Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli are all bacteria that can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, illnesses.
No other products have been affected.
Distribution
The recall notice did not specify where the affected products were distributed or sold.
The company is a co-manufacturer of the recalled products.
Product Details
| Brand | Product | Size | Packaging | UPC Code | Best By Date | Quantity |
| Happy Moose | Tropical Roots | 12 fl. oz. | Plastic bottle | 860012096503 | December 2, 2024 | 1,701 bottles |
| Strawberry Fields | 866175000388 | 1,017 bottles |
- The Best By Date (“Enjoy by”) can be found under the label near the bottom of the bottle.
Consumer Action
Consumers should check their homes or places of work for the affected products.
As with all food recalls, consumers should discontinue use of the recalled products even if they look or smell safe to consume.
Consumers should not sell, serve, share, or distribute the affected products.
Consumers can return the impacted products to the location of purchase for a refund or can simply dispose of them.
Health Risks
There have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury in connection with the consumption of the recalled products. Any consumer who has been exposed to the affected products, and is experiencing adverse reactions or symptoms associated with foodborne illness, should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in humans. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, appearing six hours to six days after exposure to the bacteria. While most people recover without specific treatment, the infection can be severe, especially for young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Listeriosis, the infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, is particularly dangerous for certain vulnerable populations. Pregnant individuals, people aged 65 or older, and those with weakened immune systems are at highest risk. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, sometimes preceded by gastrointestinal symptoms. In pregnant individuals, listeriosis can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infections in newborns.
The majority of E. coli strains are not harmful and play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut ecosystem by assisting in breaking down the food, contributing to the production of essential vitamins, and acting as a defense mechanism against more dangerous microorganisms.
However, not all E. coli are benign. Certain strains can cause a range of health issues in humans, including gastrointestinal distress resulting in diarrhea, infections of the urinary tract, respiratory ailments like pneumonia, and even severe systemic infections such as sepsis.
Commenting on this article, one national food poisoning lawyer said, “Given the potential for a variety of pathogenic contamination, consumption of these juice products could be extremely dangerous. I recommend that any consumer in possession of the recalled products throw them away immediately and to see a doctor if exhibiting any symptoms of food poisoning.”
