The company says they distribute to well-known metropolitan markets, as well as popular meal delivery subscription services.
Nearly 3,000 Bottles of Juice Sold Nationwide Recalled for Health Risk
Updated on Oct. 08, 2024
Getting into the fall and inching nearer to virus season, a nice cold-pressed juice can be a refreshing boost to your immune system. It can also feel like a worthy splurge when you happen to support a small business that practices fair wages and sustainability. Many startups also pay meticulous attention to quality control, releasing top-performing products that you can feel good about buying.
However, even the most dedicated private food companies can hit hiccups in their production process, having far-reaching effects. This week, a cold-pressed juice startup called Happy Moose Juice experienced just that when two of their products were found to pose a potential health risk.
Though the recall notice didn’t specify where the affected juices were sold, the company’s Instagram notes that they distribute select products via the grocery store chains Union Market (NYC) and Erewhon (Los Angeles), the food delivery services HungryRoot and SunBasket, and other local retailers. The company also ships their products nationwide via their website.
According to a safety alert published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 7, Youngstown Grape Distributors Inc., a co-manufacturer for Happy Moose Juice, has voluntarily recalled nearly 3,000 bottles of Happy Moose Tropical Roots Juice and Happy Moose Strawberry Fields. In total, 1,701 bottles of Tropical Roots 12 fl. oz (UPC 860012096503) and 1,017 bottles of Strawberry Fields 12 fl. oz. (UPC 866175000388) were included in the recall. The “enjoy by” date on both products is listed as December 2, 2024. “No other production codes or products are affected,” the FDA notes.
The FDA alert explains that “a portion of the production made 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.”
Though there were no reported cases of illness associated with the recall at the time of its announcement, exposure to these bacterial organisms can cause serious illness. In fact, a joint report by the FDA and American Medical Association lists these three pathogens as some of the most common causes of foodborne illness resulting in illness, hospitalization, and, in rare instances, death.
Consumers are urged to return the compromised juice bottles to their place of purchase for a full refund. You can call the company by phone at (559) 797-0252 (8am and 4:30 pm PST) if you have questions about safety, or how to return the product.
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