Whole Foods Detroit Probed For Hepatitis A

Investigations of hepatitis A are underway with the Detroit Health Department, as the contagious liver disease has been tied to prepared food from the local Whole Foods store. It is not clear how the case was contracted, but anyone who has eaten prepared food from the Whole Foods at 115 Mack Avenue just north of downtown Detroit from the October 6 to 12.

The cases involve a Whole Foods employee who handles prepared food at the store, and another involved a customer who ate at the prepared food section of the store. Officials told Detroit News that while it is still unclear how the disease spread, they had their theory: that the second case may have been contracted from the food handler.

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the executive director and health officer at the Detroit Health Department stated, "While it remains unclear exactly how either of these individuals contracted Hepatitis A, and we know that Whole Foods Market Detroit has a comprehensive food safety protocol, we want to do our best to protect our residents and those of surrounding communities who may have been exposed."

The company, on the other hand, was said to be cooperative during the investigation process. The contagious lived disease spreads when a person ingests contaminated food or drink, with symptoms that include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dark urine, and yellow eyes and skin.

Whole Foods Market spokeswoman Allison Phelps said that the employee already informed the store of the diagnosis, and the company contacted the Health Department, adding that they already had a full inspection of their store and are following appropriate food safety protocols.

She also said, "The main message we want to get across is it isn't clear that both case are connected. We want the public to know and not panic and take the opportunity to receive the inoculation."

The New York Times also reported that following the incident, Whole Foods shares slipped 1.5 percent on Thursday.