Pomegranates could be called a "passion fruit."

Pomegranates could be called a “passion fruit,” except when it’s recalled for Hepatitis A.

(1 minute read)

Just when you thought it was safe to eat the pomegranate

Recently, Zoomer magazine (see earlier blog) highlighted a group of five foods that could feed your sex drive (walnuts, bananas, peppers, avocados and pomegranates). Since then, pomegranate sales are not the only thing on the rise. The pomegranate is high in antioxidants, which protect the lining of blood vessels and allows more blood to course through them; thereby, providing increased genital sensitivity and higher blood flow. As your doctor might advise, “Forget the Viagra, get pomegranates in your food diet and your sexual diet will improve.” But is it a Dr. Jekyll remedy?

Is the pomegranate also a Mr. Hyde? In June 2013, frozen berries sold by US retailer Costco, called, “Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend” berry and pomegranate mix, were purchased by around 240,000 people and subject to a recall, after at least 118 people were infected with Hepatitis A.  And now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a recall of  “Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels” for Hepatitis A (click for specific product and regional information). 

Zoomers expect warnings about the side effects from Viagra and Cialis, but healthy, good-for-the-libido food like pomegranates … geez, what’s a healthy and sexually active person supposed to eat? Maybe Oprah will do a show on it – as a time filler on OWN – with Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil and Dr. Jekyll.

In the meantime, in fact, all the time, be alert about the pomegranate and everything you eat.  Sign up for food health alerts at STOP Foodborne Illness (they cover Canada too).