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Juice manufacturer issues voluntary recall
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Web posted at: 5:00 p.m. EST
HALF MOON BAY, California (CNN) -- An apple juice manufacturer has issued a voluntary recall after suspicion that some batches of its juice sold in the western U.S. and Canada may contain E-coli bacteria.
The company is suggesting that consumers either destroy the juices or return the products to stores for a full refund. The products have already been withdrawn from store shelves.
Odwalla fresh apple juice and other products containing apple juice are being tested to see if they played a role in recent E-coli cases in western states. Carrot juice products were also recalled because they used the same assembly line at the company's central California plant.
"Our overwhelming concern over the last couple of days has been for the health and safety of those who drink our juices," Greg Steltenpohl, chairman of Odwalla, said in a statement released Saturday.
Company officials thought their apple juice was too acidic for the E- coli to survive, but federal health officials say there are tough new strains of the bacteria that may be causing the latest rash of illnesses.
The outbreak includes more than 50 people, mostly children. Odwalla's unpasteurized apple juice was linked to a rash of E. coli cases in Washington state.
Suspect products have been removed from shelves in 4,600 retail outlets in California, Colorado, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana and British Columbia.
Juices that have been recalled include 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, Deep in Peach, Carrot Juice, Organic Carrot Juice and Vegetable Cocktail.
The company has offered to pay medical expenses for anyone made ill by Odwalla juices. A consumer hotline has been set up at 1-800-639-2552.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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