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A fruit juice distributed to stores around the country has been recalled due to the risk of causing a "serious illness" for consumers.
Youngstown Grape Distributors Inc. issued a voluntary recall of two lots of Happy Moose juice this week after it was determined some of the products may have not completed the high-pressure processing treatment stage of production. The treatment 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 [which] could lead to serious illness if consumed," according to a recall notice shared October 7 by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
The recall affects the 12-ounce plastic bottles of Happy Moose Tropical Roots (Lot #H240903-E, Best By 12/02/2024, UPC 860012096503) and Happy Moose Strawberry Fields (Lot #H240903-H, Best By 12/02/2024, UPC 866175000388). As of time of the recall, there have been no reports of illness associated with consuming the product.
Ryan Armistead, CEO and founder of Happy Moose, said in an email to Newsweek that the product was voluntarily recalled "out of an abundance of caution" and that nearly 1,700 bottles have been collected.
"We produce our juices in small batches and process them with HPP [high-pressure processing] technology," said Armistead. "This is a scientifically validated 'kill step' for ensuring our product's integrity for the duration of its shelf life. We learned that a single cycle in a small batch of our products made 35 days ago may not have received sufficient treatment to meet FDA requirements."
He continued, "All products potentially affected are off shelves at this point and have already been consumed or disposed of. We have had no consumer reports of adverse effects from consuming the recalled products."
For more information about the recall or to see product images, visit fda.gov.