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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
---------------
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) OCTOBER 30, 1996
ODWALLA, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
CALIFORNIA 0-23036 77-0096788
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
120 STONE PINE ROAD, HALF MOON BAY, CALIFORNIA 94019
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (415) 726-1888
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
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ITEM 5. Other Events
Odwalla, Inc. ("Odwalla" or the "Company" or the "Registrant")
is the leading supplier of fresh juice in the western United States, serving
thousands of accounts in California, Nevada, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado,
Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada from its production facility in
Dinuba, California.
On October 30, 1996, the Company voluntarily pulled all products
containing apple juice from store shelves when it was discovered that several
people in the Seattle area who had been identified with the E. coli 0157:H7
bacteria had reportedly consumed Odwalla apple juice. As a further precaution,
Odwalla also recalled its carrot, organic carrot and vegetable cocktail juices,
all of which are processed on the same line as the apple juice products. The
Company's citrus-based juices and geothermal spring water are not affected by
the recall and are still being produced and distributed.
The press releases filed as exhibits to this Current Report on
Form 8-K concerning Odwalla's product recall are hereby incorporated by
reference.
The Company currently maintains commercial general liability
insurance totalling $27,000,000, as well as additional insurance that may be
available for non-third party liability losses. The Company has notified its
insurance carriers of these events.
ITEM 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Information and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired. Not applicable.
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information. Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits. The following documents are filed as exhibits to
the report:
(1) Press Release of the Registrant dated October 30, 1996.
(2) Press Release of the Registrant dated November 2, 1996.
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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.
Odwalla, Inc.
------------------------------------
(Registrant)
Date: November 5, 1996 By /s/ James R. Steichen
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Name: James R. Steichen
Title: Chief Financial Officer
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Index to Exhibits
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sequentially
Exhibit No. Description of Document Numbered Page No.
<S> <C>
7.1 Press Release of the Registrant dated October 30, 1996.
7.2 Press Release of the Registrant dated November 2, 1996.
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ODWALLA, INC. Media Contact: Sydney Fisher
Half Moon Bay, CA Phone: (415) 712-5512
*********NEWS ADVISORY*********
ODWALLA ISSUES PRODUCT RECALL ON FRESH APPLE JUICE
HALF MOON BAY, CALIF. (October 30, 1996)-Odwalla, Inc., the California- based
fresh beverage company, issued today a national product recall of fresh apple
juice and all products containing fresh apple juice as an ingredient.
Odwalla was notified today by Washington's Environmental Health Services that
there have been several confirmed cases of the E-Coli 0157 bacteria in the state
of Washington.
"Our first concern is for the health and safety of those affected," said Stephen
Williamson, Chief Executive Officer of Odwalla. "We are working in full
cooperation with the FDA and the Seattle/King County Department of Public
Health."
"We will update the media as soon as results are available," said Sydney Fisher,
Director of Public Relations for Odwalla. For more information, please call
Sydney Fisher at (415) 712-5512.
###
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DATE: November 2, 1996
ODWALLA COMPLETES RECALL
Odwalla announced today that the voluntary recall of its apple juice and other
apple juice based products from its distribution system is now completed.
Product has been removed from shelves in 4,600 retail outlets in seven states
and British Columbia, Canada. Retailers have been contacted to confirm that
recalled products have been removed from shelves. Citrus-based juices and
geothermal spring water are not affected by the recall and are still being sold
and distributed.
Odwalla fresh apple juice and juices which contain apple juice are being tested
both by the company and government health authorities to determine whether they
could have played a part in recently identified cases of E. coli 0157:H7
bacteria in several Western states.
"Our overwhelming concern over the last couple of days has been for the health
and safety of those who drink our juices," said Greg Steltenpohl, chairman of
Odwalla. "We are very pleased that we've been able to pull our product from
nearly every shelf and have been able to get the word out to our customers." In
addition, Odwalla has set up a hot line to answer consumer questions. That
number is 1-800-639-2552.
Currently, the relation between Odwalla's apple juice products and E. coli
0157:H7 infection is what the FDA calls "epidemiological," that is, there is a
linkage of people who have the infection and those who have consumed the
product. The current investigation by Odwalla and various health regulatory
agencies of cases E. coli 0157:H7 associated with Odwalla brand apple juice
products is continuing, to determine definitively how this outbreak occurred.
Consumers who have purchased the Odwalla products listed below should destroy or
return those products for a full refund. Anyone who has developed a diarrheal
illness within two weeks from consuming an Odwalla product that contains apple
juice may wish to consult their physician. Consumers with questions about E.
coli 0157:H7 illness should contact their local or state department of health.
The following products have been recalled by Odwalla, Inc. from stores in
California, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, and British
Columbia, Canada.
Apple Juice
Blackberry Fruitshake
Mango Tango
Super Protein
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
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Raspberry Smoothie
C-Monster
Strawberry C Monster
Mo' Beta
Femme Vitale
Superfood
Serious Ginseng
Deep in Peach
Carrot Juice
Organic Carrot Juice
Vegetable Cocktail
Odwalla will continue to issue media updates as information becomes available.
Unless otherwise indicated, those updates will be communicated via wire services
and by direct request for faxed copies.
Odwalla is the leading supplier of fresh juice in the western United States,
serving thousands of accounts in California, Nevada, Texas, New Mexico,
Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada from its production
facility in Dinuba, California.
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