Dear Friends, I hope you are all doing well, as always

JULY
Dear Friends,
I hope you are all doing well, as always.
Friends of the Taira Times may have seen the latest installment from June, 2013 on the internet,
but those on the secret mailing list waiting for the hand-mailed Times may still be loyally waiting. Thanks for your patience, and I hope one day you will check out all the Taira Times issues on
the internet.
Any Taira Times reader could tell you that raw berries are an excellent
source of vitamins and energy.
In fact, wild animals such as the mighty bear and the graceful bird have
been know to partake in these delicious treats. Taira Sensei is fond of
berries, of course, but we cannot forget that all raw foods (EVEN frozen
foods) are at risk of causing foodborne illness no matter how delicious or
healthy they are.
Last month, there was an outbreak of Hepititis A in the United States caused by berries. The
contaminated barries were hidden in smoothie beverages. Smoothies are delicious treats that
are traditionally made out of blended fruits and sometimes combined with milk, ice and honey.
A recent boom in the popularity of these cool beverages has lead to wide-spread availability
and many deceptively unhealthy versions.
The recent outbreak of hepitits A was investigated by the American Centers for Disease Control (CDC). It appears to have affected several states in
the western US, and is assumed to stem from frozen berries. Hepitis A is a
virus that can be spread by contaminated foods and water. Every year
hepitis A affects more than 1.4 million people worldwide and is more previlant in countries with a lower availability of public hygiene.
For more information on the hepitits outbreak in the United States, please see the US CDC website on food safety information. http://www.cdc.gov/
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■For your thoughtful convenience: OFFICIAL REPORT FROM THE CDC
Below are the offical details from the CDC. This brings to light the potential of a widespread Hepatitis A outbreak.
Source: Multistate oubreak of Hepatitis A infection potentially associated with «Townsend Farms Organic Antioxident Blend» frozen berry and pomegranate mix. 2013/6/10
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/Outbreaks/2013/A1b-03-31/index.html
On June 10, 2013 the CDC officially acknowledged a multistate outbreak of Hepatitis A in western United States.
States include, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wisconsin. The investigation is
ongoing, and the major known facts are listed below.
-As of July 11, 2013, 145 people have been confirmed to have become ill from hepatitis A after eating
Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend in 8 states: Arizona (21), California (70), Colorado (28), Hawaii
(8), New Mexico (7), Nevada (6), Utah (3), and Wisconsin (2). [Note: The cases reported from Wisconsin
resulted from exposure to the product in California.] -81 (56%) ill people are women
-Ages range from 1 ‒ 84 years;
-83 (57%) of those ill were between 40 ‒ 64 years of age.
-10 children age 18 or under were also ill. None were previously vaccinated.
-Illness onset dates range from 3/31/2013 ‒ 7/1/2013
-63 (43%) ill people (all over 18 years of age) have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been
reported
The FDA and CDC are continuing investigation in each state as new Hepatitis A reports are released. Costco, the
retail outlet carrying the reported contaminated berries, has released an announcement warning consumers about
the product. On June 3rd, Townsend Farms (Fairview, Oregon), has recalled a production lot of their frozen berry
line up called Organic Antioxidant Blend.
In two states, tests have shown the berries to carry Type 2 Hepatitis A with a 1B. genotype This strain of the virus
is uncommon in North America and usually is found in Northern Africa and the Middle East.
This genotype is
connected to an outbreak in British Columbia, Canada in 2012 from pomegranate seeds originating in Egypt. However, there is no evidence regarding a connection from this outbreak to the 2012 incident.
The Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend
berries label says that it contains berries from the
United States, Argentina, Chile and Turkey.
Hepatitis A can sufficiently travel from an
infected person’s hands to food products and
infect another person when hands are not properly washed. While there is the possibility of a
similar route of infection, the investigation is still
ongoing.
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■ Hepatitis A Virus Characteristics
Hepatitis A Virus
Pathogen
HAV (Hepatitis A Virus)
Microbe Type
Virus (Non-enveloped, hydrophilic)
Environment
Human host. Often spreads to water and inhabits
bivalve shellfish.
Infection Route
Oral infection through feces or consuming shellfish.
Characteristics
・Sudden inflammation, chronic infection is uncommon.
・Infected children rarely show symptoms. Adults are more seriously affected.
・The virus is unaffected by stomach acid or bile acid and resistant to disinfectants and heat
(At 60℃ for over 1 hour).
・Often infects in the fall and spring via shellfish.
Incubation Period
2 to 6 weeks.
Symptoms
Symptoms may vary but may include loss of appetite, sluggishness, nausea and vomiting.
Prevention
Maintaining a clean environment. Hand washing and disinfection, thorough cooking and preventing cross contamination.
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■ Hepatitis A can be transferred by feces so to prevent infection, follow these tips.
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Cook food thoroughly.
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cross contamination from infected
① Avoid
food handlers to food and drink.
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Always wash hands before meals.
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Travelers to countries and areas with
regular outbreaks of HAV should avoid
raw food and tap water.
Saraya Co., Ltd. provides a wide range of infection prevention products and solutions. Contact your local sales representative for more information.
Please contact
the regional sales companies!
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■ Boot Disinfection
The soles of footwear can be a common source of infectious diseases that are introduced to
food manufacturing facilities.
Best Sanitizers Inc. provides a boot disinfection solution. The machine provides an application
of alcohol disinfectant to boots as they enter the food handling area of a factory. It is ideal for
dry kitchens that cannot use a boot washing pool such as bakeries.
An effective tool in reducing pathogens in the food processing facility.
Best Sanitizers, Inc. introduces the new HACCP Defender™ Low-Moisture Automatic Boot Sanitizing Station. The
HACCP Defender adds an additional layer of pathogen protection by reducing cross-contamination from boots
before employees enter the food processing area or other critical control zones.
The HACCP Defender is designed for food processing facilities where pathogen reduction and moisture control is
critical. Utilizing the proven efficacy of Alpet® D2 Surface Sanitizer, food processors now have a powerful tool for
controlling moisture, pathogens and cross-contamination.
・ One-way, pass-through design supports traffic flow and improves pathogen reduction to critical areas of the facility
・ Fine atomized mist provides ample coverage to boot soles while reducing chemical waste and controlling moisture
・ Adjustable output for optimal volume control
・ Infrared sensors control doors and sprayers
・ Fresh Alpet D2 Surface Sanitizer with every application
・ Stainless steel construction
・ 36”W x 38”L x 45”H