Internet Site Set Up To Explain Juice Recall Odwalla Explains Possible E. Coli Contamination Of Apple Juice

Odwalla, Inc. set up a site on the Internet on Sunday to address customer concerns about the company’s recall of unpasteurized apple juice products possibly related to an outbreak of E. Coli.

The World Wide Web site tells customers that possibly tainted products have been removed from 4,600 retail outlets in eight states and parts of Canada. Also offered is a step-bystep description of how Odwalla makes its juice products, and its sanitation procedures.

Robin Joy, a spokeswoman for the company, said an informal survey of discussion on the Internet has been mostly “positive.”

“I think people recognize that this is a company with strong values and vision, and a commitment to the quality of the product and the community,” she said.

Meanwhile, a Concord child hospitalized after drinking Odwalla juice remained in serious condition at Oakland’s Children’s Hospital. Hospital spokesman Stephen Texeira said that 2-year-old Tara Azizi, who has kidney damage, was improving.

Officials in Washington state have reported the greatest number with 17 confirmed cases of E. coli, 15 of whom said they drank Odwalla drinks before falling ill. Another 10 cases were suspected.

Federal officials and the California Department of Health are testing Odwalla production equipment in the Central Valley, where the suspected juices were bottled. Federal investigators were awaiting test results after investigating Odwalla’s production facility.

Odwalla officials were in regular contact with federal and state health officials. But “there’s no new news to report today,” Joy said.

Odwalla products containing apple juice have been withdrawn from stores in Washington, California, Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, Nevada, Texas and British Columbia.

The products are Odwalla Apple Juice, Blackberry Fruit Shake, Mango Tango, Super Protein, Strawberry Banana Smoothie, Raspberry Smoothie, C-Monster, Strawberry C-Monster, Mo’ Beta, Femme Vitale, Superfood, Serious Ginseng and Deep in Peach.

The vegetable products Carrot Juice, Organic Carrot Juice and Vegetable Cocktail also were recalled.

Despite the scare, some customers were remaining loyal to untainted Odwalla juices still on store shelves.

“A lot of customers are staying loyal and still buying their products,” said Megan Walden-Schertz, manager of Real Foods, a San Francisco health food store.

Joy said she could not comment on Odwalla sales figures since the outbreak.

Odwalla’s Internet site can be found at: www.enw.com/odwalla.