State officials with the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) are investigating several recent cases of Salmonella infection that appear to be linked to the consumption of unpasteurized, fresh-squeezed orange juice.

To date, 11 cases of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported among Michigan residents between early May and early June who drank unpasteurized orange juice products, said Janet Olszewski, MDCH Director. Several other cases in Michigan are under investigation and still pending.

Eight of the cases were reported in children and five of the cases required hospitalization. There have been no deaths. Additional Salmonella Typhimirium infections in Michigan and 11 other states have been identified as matching this specific strain and the investigation is ongoing.

“Salmonella is a bacteria that people should take very seriously,” Olszewski said. “We urge Michigan consumers to use caution when purchasing unpasteurized products, and to avoid the recalled products all together for the time being.”

Olszewski said disease investigations are continuing throughout the state, in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta.

The unpasteurized orange juice products have been recalled by Orchid Island Juice Company of Fort Pierce, Florida. The orange juice comes in a variety of containers distributed nationwide to retail stores and restaurants under various brand names by the company.

The products are identified on the labels as freshly squeezed or fresh orange juice with expiration dates through July 25, 2005. The following labels are known to be involved: Nino Salvaggio's, Westborn Market, and Natalie's Orchid Island Juice. Orchid Island Juice bottles products under several other brand names that have not yet been provided by the company.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled product may return it to the store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers seeking additional information can contact the company at (722) 465-1122.

The orange juice products do not bear a warning label stating that the juice is unpasteurized. Consumers should not assume these products are safe to drink simply because they do not bear an "unpasteurized" label.

Ninety-eight percent of all juice in the U.S. in routinely pasteurized. The other two percent, mostly freshly squeezed juice, is not.

“Until all juices are required to be pasteurized, consumers should be aware of the potential risks and always read labels carefully,” said Dan Wyant, MDA Director.

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Otherwise healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.