Sun Orchard Recalls OJ

Sun Orchard Inc. (Tempe, AZ) has issued a recall on all non-pasteurized orange juice after it was found to be potentially contaminated with Salmonella muenchen, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in individuals with weakened immune systems. The orange juice was distributed in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington State, Wisconsin, and Alberta and British Columbia in Canada through retail stores and restaurants.

The non-pasteurized orange juice is packaged in clear plastic gallons, half-gallons, quarts, pints, 12-oz and half-pint containers stating "enjoy by" or "pull by" July 7, 1999 and bearing the following labels: Sun Orchard, Trader Joe's (gallon size only), Aloha, Zupan, and Viola.

The recall was the result of Salmonella muechen reported by Washington State epidemiologists. The contaminated orange juice was the likely source of 14 illnesses in Washington State and four illnesses in Oregon. Salmonella muenchen is a bacterial disease with an incubation period that is usually about one to three days. It can cause abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. Dehydration may be severe, especially among infants and the elderly.

For more information about the recall contact Sun Orchard at 206-780-8042.