Statement from Apio Fresh, LLC on Withdrawal of Green Onions from Marketplace

Date of Recall

2003-11-22

Recall Details

GUADALUPE, CA.-- November 22, 2003 -- Apio Fresh, LLC has announced that it is asking its customers to withdraw from the marketplace all green onions sold by the company in light of concerns about a Hepatitis A outbreak in several eastern states which has been traced to green onions imported from Mexico.

“Consumer safety is our top concern,” said John Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Apio Fresh, LLC. “We believe this is a prudent response, given the severity of the situation.”

Friday evening, Apio Fresh learned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had identified one Apio Fresh supplier of green onions in Mexico as one of several suppliers the FDA is investigating as potentially connected with the Hepatitis A outbreak. At this point, there has not been a specific connection drawn between green onions from any of these suppliers or Apio Fresh and the outbreak.

As the safety and health of consumers is paramount, Apio Fresh is taking immediate action to withdraw from the marketplace all of its green onions – both grown in Mexico and the U.S. The company is doing so voluntarily and has not been requested to do so by the FDA or any other authority.

Apio Fresh has not received a green onion shipment from any of the suppliers named by the FDA since October 15, 2003. Nonetheless, to be safe, Apio Fresh has voluntarily chosen to:

• Request that all of our customers immediately remove from use and discard any green onions they purchased from Apio Fresh.
• Suspend importation of green onions from Mexico and shipments of all green onions (both grown in Mexico and the U.S.).
• Send a team to review the operations and inspect the facilities of suppliers who are currently providing green onions to Apio Fresh.

“We remain confident Apio Fresh products are not involved in this outbreak, “ said Mr. Jackson. “We are working closely with the FDA and will base a decision to resume shipping solely on the health and safety of our customers.”

For more information please contact John Jackson at 805-249-5344.

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