Virginia Department of Health

Hunger is one of the most severe roadblocks to the learning process and lack of nutritional meals during the summer may set up a cycle for poor performance once school begins again. Virginia’s children need nutritious meals all year long to keep them healthy and ready to learn. The Summer Food Service Program helps fill the nutrition gap when school’s out. With summer meals, children get the nutrition they need to learn, play and grow during vacation. For an up-to-date list of Summer Food Service Program sites and for more information participating as a provider, please visit:

• Find a Food Service Program near you
• Summer Food Service Program in Virginia
• Summer Food Service Program information on the USDA web site

June is Men’s Health Month

Take time this month to encourage the men in your family to make an appointment to see their health care provider for a check-up. Often times, many of the major health risks that men face can be prevented if they have regular screenings to diagnose illnesses early.

Lightning Safety Week, June 23-29, 2013

Lightning Safety Week is a time to teach everyone about lightning safety and reduce the risk of injury or death caused by lightning strikes. Being prepared and acting quickly when thunderstorms threaten can save lives.

For additional information on lightning safety and protection:

• National Weather Service
• Thunderstorm and Lightning Safety

Possible Contamination of Frozen Berry Blend

Some lots of Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Berry Blend sold under the Harris Teeter brand in Virginia may be linked to a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A infections. 60 cases of illness are being investigated nationwide. There have not been any cases reported in Virginia.

The product was sold sold in Harris Teeter stores from April 20 until June 1, 2013, under the name Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Berry Blend⁴, 10 oz. bag and UPC 0 72036 70463 4, with Lot Codes of T041613E or T041613C and a “BEST BY” code of 101614. If you purchased this specific product, please discard it.

Symptoms of illness range from fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin or eyes). If you consumed the product and are ill, please contact your health care provider.

If you have consumed this specific product in the last 14 days and have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A, please contact your health care provider.

Most people recover completely, but hepatitis A can cause serious illness. It is very important that people who have symptoms of hepatitis A do not go to work, especially if they work in food service, health care or child care.

For more information on hepatitis A: VDH Hepatits A Fact Sheet

For more information on the recall: FDA Press Release