SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
April 1, 1997
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EPITOPE, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)
Oregon
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-10492
(Commission File No.)
93-0779127
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
8505 S.W. Creekside Place
Beaverton, Oregon 97008
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(503) 641-6115
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Item 5. Other Events.
On April 1 and 2, 1997, Epitope, Inc., issued press releases
regarding a recall of strawberries by its Andrew and Williamson Sales, Co.,
subsidiary. Copies of the press releases are attached as exhibits to this
report.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits.
The exhibits to this report are listed in the exhibit index
following the signature page.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
EPITOPE, INC.
Dated: April 2, 1997 By: /s/ Gilbert N. Miller
Gilbert N. Miller
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
99.1 Press release of Epitope, Inc., dated April 1, 1997.
99.2 Press release of Epitope, Inc., dated April 2, 1997.
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mary Hagen
503.641.6115
Andrew and Williamson Initiates Voluntary Product Recall
Beaverton, Oregon, April 1 -- Epitope, Inc. (NASDAQ:EPTO) today announced that
Andrew and Williamson Sales Co., its recently acquired wholly owned subsidiary,
has commenced a voluntary recall of thirteen lots of frozen, sliced strawberries
shipped to distributors for institutional use in six states. The berries have
been associated with an occurrence of Hepatitis A in several Michigan schools.
Hepatitis A is a flu-like, temporary illness. The lots subject to the recall
were shipped early in December 1996, shortly before Epitope acquired A&W. The
berries were grown in Mexico and processed in San Diego.
"The health and well-being of the public is A&W's foremost concern. While it is
not certain that the lots being recalled are contaminated, we want to eliminate
all possible risk to consumers. Therefore, we have notified our customers who
received the shipments in question and requested that they remove them from the
market," said Adolph J. Ferro, president and chief executive officer of Epitope.
"We are cooperating fully with both the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, who are assisting with the
recall process."
Hepatitis A is usually a mild and self-limiting illness. Symptoms may include
malaise, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, low grade fever and jaundice. Some
patients, particularly young children, experience no symptoms at all.
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Exhibit 99.2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mary Hagen
503.641.6115
Epitope Announces Further Developments with Regard to Hepatitis A Outbreak
Beaverton, Oregon, April 2 -- Epitope, Inc. (NASDAQ:EPTO) today announced
further developments regarding a recall of strawberries by its subsidiary,
Andrew and Williamson Sales Co., following a Hepatitis A outbreak in Michigan.
The company has learned that A&W inaccurately described some of the strawberries
associated with the outbreak as having been grown and processed in the U.S. as
required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture School Lunch Program. In fact,
the berries were grown in Mexico and processed in the U.S. This inaccurate
description occurred prior to the acquisition of A&W by Epitope.
"We have notified the USDA of our concern with regard to this matter and have
today accepted the resignation of Fred L. Williamson, the president and chief
executive officer of A&W," said Adolph J. Ferro, president and chief executive
officer of Epitope. "As the health and well-being of the public remains our
foremost concern, we will continue to work with appropriate governmental
agencies."
Hepatitis A is usually a mild and self-limiting illness. Symptoms may include
malaise, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, low grade fever and jaundice. Many
people infected with Hepatitis A may have no symptoms or may have mild symptoms
without jaundice.
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