The following health alert is from the FDA on March 22, 2008
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an import alert regarding entry of cantaloupe from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer, because, based on current information, fruit from this company appears to be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada.
The FDA recommends that consumers take the following steps to reduce the risk of contracting Salmonella or other foodborne illnesses from cantaloupes:
- Purchase cantaloupes that are not bruised or damaged. If buying fresh-cut cantaloupe, be sure it is refrigerated or surrounded by ice.
- After purchase, refrigerate cantaloupes promptly.
- Wash hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling fresh cantaloupes.
- Scrub whole cantaloupes by using a clean produce brush and cool tap water immediately before eating. Don't use soap or detergents.
- Use clean cutting surfaces and utensils when cutting cantaloupes. Wash cutting boards, countertops, dishes, and utensils with hot water and soap between the preparation of raw meat, poultry, or seafood and the preparation of cantaloupe.
- If there happens to be a bruised or damaged area on a cantaloupe, cut away those parts before eating it.
- Leftover cut cantaloupe should be discarded if left at room temperature for more than two hours.
- Use a cooler with ice or use ice gel packs when transporting or storing cantaloupes outdoors.
A video on how to wash and cut a cantelope can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v4DYoKjwFw
Many cantelopes and cantelope based products are being recalled. I am listing some below:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/centralamerican03_08.html>Central American Produce, Inc. of Pompano Beach, FL announces a voluntary recall of cantaloupes grown, packed and shipped by an independent third-party grower, Agropecuaria Montelibano of San Lorenzo Valle, Honduras.The cantaloupes were distributed for sale in medium brown cardboard cartons with the brands “Mikes Melons” or “Mayan Pride” all showing “PRODUCE OF HONDURAS” printed on each of the four side panels of the carton. The address of the shipper appears on one end panel of the carton as follows: GROWN, PACKED AND SHIPPED BY: AGROPECUARIA MONTELIBANO, SAN LORENZO, VALLE, HONDURAS (3/25/08)
Tropifresh, Inc. Recalls Whole Cantaloupe Products Because of Possible Health Risk (March 26)
T.M. Kovacevich International, Inc. Recalls Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk. Whole cantaloupe fruits subject to this recall were sold in boxes marked with the following text: “Cantaloupe, Mike’s Melons, Produce of Honduras, Grown, Packed and Shipped by Agropecuaria Montelibano, San Lorenzo, Valle, Honduras”. 3/26/08
Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Recalls Whole Cantaloupes Grown by Agropecuaria Montelibano, Honduras, Due to Possible Health Risk. The cantaloupes were distributed for sale throughout the US and Canada in cardboard cartons with the brands "Mike's Melons," "Mayan Pride" and "Chiquita" all showing "PRODUCE OF HONDURAS" printed on each of the side panels of the carton. The address of the shipper appears on one end panel of the carton as follows: GROWN, PACKED AND SHIPPED BY: AGROPECUARIA MONTELIBANO, SAN LORENZO, VALLE, HONDURAS. 3/27/08
Bounty Fresh, LLC. Recalls Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk. Whole cantaloupe fruits subject to this recall are packed three melons in a sleeve under the brand "Chestnut Hill Farms" and one melon per sleeve under the "Perfect Melon" brand. Individual melons are not labeled, but sleeves contain tags that say either "Perfect Melon" (one count) or "Chestnut Hill Farms" (3 count). Whole cantaloupe fruits subject to this recall were sold in boxes marked with the following text: "Cantaloupe, "Chestnut Hill Farms" (3 count) or "Perfect Melon" (one count) , Produce of Honduras, Grown, Packed and Shipped by Agropecuaria Montelibano, San Lorenzo, Valle, Honduras". All boxes also contain the Chestnut Hill Farms logo. 3/27/08
Simply Fresh Fruit Announces Nationwide Recall of Some Fresh Cut Fruit Products Containing Cantaloupe Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination. The products being recalled include: Simply Fresh Fruit Brand food service Fruit Mix in Syrup products dated “sell by 4 – 18 08” or earlier, food service Cantaloupe Chunks in Syrup products dated “sell by 4 – 08 8” or earlier, and retail and club store Simply Fresh, Fresh Cut Fruit Brand containing cantaloupe dated “sell by 3 – 29 8”or earlier. 3/27/08
Spokane Produce, Inc. of Spokane, Washington is recalling Garden Patch, Yokes, and Rosauers Classic labels of various products of fresh cut and cut fruits containing cantaloupe, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. 3/28/08
Dole Fresh Fruit Company, a subsidiary of Dole Food Company, Inc., has voluntarily recalled all Honduran Cantaloupes grown, packed and shipped by an independent third-party grower, Agropecuaria Montelibano of San Lorenzo Valle, Honduras. 3/28/08
JARD Marketing Corp Announces Recall of Some Fresh Cut and Foodservice Fruit Products Containing Cantaloupe Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination. Retail products containing cantaloupe packed in plastic cups and trays include the following brands: Frosty Fresh, Fresh Hand Cut, Fruit On The Go, Highland Park, Bruegger’s Bagels, Sid Wainer & Son, Hannaford Brothers and Garden Highway Plant # P-005. Plastic cups and trays under this recall are coded with a sell by date of "3/29/08" or earlier. photos here (3/28/08)
Fresh Express Foods Corporation, Inc. Recalls Cube Cut Cantaloupe Due to Possible Health Risk. The recalled cut cubed cantaloupe was distributed to 2 local restaurants, 1 hospital and 1 retirement center in Medford and 1 restaurant in Klamath Fall Oregon. One grocery store, Price Less "Deli Department", in Cave Junction Oregon received cut product and all have been contacted under our food safety recall policy. 3/28/08
