Cantaloupe from Honduras recalled for Salmonella--59 people ill!

[notyard]

U.S. FDA press release on cantaloupe from one Honduran packer recalled for Salmonella--at least fifty-nine people sickened in U.S.A. and Canada:


FDA News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2008
Media Inquiries:
Stephanie Kwisnek, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA


FDA Warns of Salmonella Risk with Cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano

The agency detains products from the Honduran manufacturer

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 import alert advises FDA field offices that all cantaloupes shipped to the United States by this company are to be detained.

In addition, the FDA has contacted importers about this action and is advising U.S. grocers, food service operators, and produce processors to remove from their stock any cantaloupes from this company. The FDA also advises consumers who have recently bought cantaloupes to check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from this specific grower and packer. If so, consumers should throw away the cantaloupes.

To date, the FDA has received reports of 50 illnesses in 16 states and nine illnesses in Canada linked to the consumption of cantaloupes. No deaths have been reported; however, 14 people have been hospitalized. The states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The FDA is taking this preventive measure while the agency continues to investigate this outbreak in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state partners. Such intervention is a key component of FDA’s Food Protection Plan (http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/advance/food.html).

Symptoms of foodborne Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections. Individuals who have recently eaten cantaloupe and experienced any of these symptoms should contact their health care professional.

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.

[gatito]

Thanks Judy !!

[notyard]

Another FDA press release on two other labels that the Salmonella tainted melons were sold under:

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Honduran Cantaloupes grown by Agropecuaria Montelibano, San Lorenzo Valle, Honduras

Contact:
Michael Warren
954-943-2303

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --Pompano Beach, FL -- March 24, 2008 --- 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 product was distributed nationwide and Canada. Based on current information, the cantaloupe grown, packed and shipped from Agropecuaria Montelibano appears to be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada.

In persons with poor health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections. Symptoms of food-borne Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Individuals who have recently eaten cantaloupe and experienced any of these symptoms should contact their health care professional.

The FDA advises that U.S. grocers, food service operators and produce processors remove from their stock any cantaloupes grown packed and shipped from this company. The FDA is also advises consumers who have recently bought cantaloupes to check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from this specific grower and packer. If so, consumers should throw away the cantaloupes. 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


There are other firms that are involved in this recall using other labels of the same grower, including Mikes Melons. The FDA is taking this preventive measure while the agency continues to investigate this outbreak in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state partners.

For more information on produce safety, please visit: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodsafe.html (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodsafe.html).

Consumers with additional questions should contact Central American Produce, Inc. at 954-943-2303.

[notyard]

Another FDA recall press release on the cantaloupes from one Honduran packer/grower for Salmonella--also sold by Tropifresh under "Mikes Melons" label:

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Tropifresh, Inc. Recalls Whole Cantaloupe Products Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Luis Alvarado
213-745-8111

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Los Angeles, CA -- March 26, 2008 --- Tropifresh, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA is recalling Agrolibano’s Produce Brand whole Cantaloupes because they appear to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Whole cantaloupe fruits subject to this recall carry a “Mike’s Melons” sticker or may be unlabeled because this sticker has fallen off. Whole cantaloupes fruits subject to this recall were sold in approximately 1100 pound cardboard bin containers and were distributed to wholesalers in Southern California, Pennsylvania and Canada.

No illnesses have been reported to Tropifresh, Inc. to date.
These cantaloupe products were supplied from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer, to Tropifresh. This recall was initiated when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an import alert regarding cantaloupe from this grower, because, based on current information, fruit from this company appears to be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase. Customers with questions may contact Luis Alvarado of Tropifresh, Inc. at 213-745-81111.

[notyard]

Add another FDA recall press release to the increasing list for the Salmonella tainted cantaloupes from one Honduran packer/grower:

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

T.M. Kovacevich International, Inc. Recalls Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
T.M. Kovacevich International, Inc.
(215) 336-3160
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Philadelphia, PA -- March 25, 2008 --- T.M. Kovacevich International, Inc. of Philadelphia, PA is recalling cantaloupes which it purchased from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer, because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has determined, based on current information, that cantaloupe fruit from this company has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled product was distributed to wholesalers and processors in Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts and New Jersey, and may have reached consumers through grocery stores, restaurants, or other similar channels. Whole cantaloupe fruits subject to this recall carry a “Mike’s Melons” sticker or may be unlabeled because this sticker has fallen off. 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”.

We are unaware to date of any illnesses that may be associated with any cantaloupes sold by our company.

This recall has been initiated based on the FDA’s determination, based on current information, that cantaloupe fruit from the referenced grower/packer appears to be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada.

Consumers who have recently bought whole cantaloupes from this specific grower and packer should destroy these products immediately. Consumers with questions may contact George Manos of T.M. Kovacevich International, Inc. at (215) 336-3160.

[notyard]

Yet another company affected by the Salmonella-tainted cantaloupe from one Honduran packer/grower:


Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Bounty Fresh, LLC. Recalls Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Bounty Fresh, LLC
305-592-6969

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --Miami, FL -- March 27, 2008 -- Bounty Fresh, LLC, has recalled cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer because the U.S Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has determined, based on current information, that cantaloupe fruit from this company has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled product was distributed nationwide to wholesalers and grocery stores. 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.

This recall has been initiated based on the FDA"s determination, based on current information, that cantaloupe fruit from the referenced grower/packer appears to be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada.

Consumers who have recently bought whole cantaloupes from this specific grower and packer should destroy these products immediately. Consumers with questions may contact Raul Romero, Bounty Fresh, LLC at 305-592-6969.

[notyard]

And, yet another company with the Salmonella-tainted Honduran cantaloupes under Chiquita, Mayan Pride, and Mikes Melons names:


Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Recalls Whole Cantaloupes Grown by Agropecuaria Montelibano, Honduras, Due to Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
(800) 242-5472

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Cincinnati, OH -- March 27, 2008 -- Chiquita Brands International, Inc. today announced a voluntary recall of cantaloupes grown, packed and shipped by an independent third-party grower, Agropecuaria Montelibano in Honduras. The product was distributed to customers nationwide and is being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of food-borne Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Individuals who have recently eaten cantaloupe and experienced any of these symptoms should contact their health care professional.

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</STRONG>

Chiquita advises that U.S. grocers, food service operators and produce processors remove from their stock all recall product. Chiquita also advises consumers who have recently bought cantaloupes to check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from this specific grower and packer. If so, consumers should throw away the cantaloupes.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (800) 242-5472
.

[notyard]

And, yet another name, DOLE, to add to the list of labels affected by the salmonella-tainted melons from one Honduran grower/packer:




Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Voluntary Recall on Honduran Cantaloupes Due to Potential Health Concerns

Contact:
William Goldfield
818-874-4647

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Westlake Village, Calif., March 28, 2008 -- 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.

This recall has been initiated based on current information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that fruit from this company appears to be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada.

Persons infected with Salmonella may experience a variety of symptoms and illnesses. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in more severe illnesses and potentially can be fatal.

The cantaloupes were distributed for sale throughout the United States and parts of Canada in cardboard cartons with the brand "Dole" and "PRODUCT OF HONDURAS" printed on each of the side panels of the carton.

The FDA advises consumers who have recently bought cantaloupes to check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from this specific grower and packer. If so, consumers should throw away the cantaloupes. Consumers with questions may visit the FDA website at www.fda.gov (http://www.fda.gov/default.htm) for more information or contact the Dole Consumer Center at (800) 232-8888.

[notyard]

From the FDA's website:

"Update on the FDA Investigation in Honduras

April 7, 2008: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has completed the on site component of the investigation of cantaloupes in The Republic of Honduras.

HHS dispatched a multidisciplinary team, which consisted of experts from both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from within the department, to Honduras for about a week to investigate a Honduran packer and grower of cantaloupes, Agropecuaria Montelíbano.

Epidemiological and trace-back investigations performed in the United States between February and March of this year indicated that the current salmonellosis outbreak, in which 51 illnesses were reported in 16 states since January, was associated with the consumption of cantaloupes exported by Agropecuaria Montelíbano.

The HHS team worked with Honduran government officials to evaluate the company's growing fields and packing houses, and collected environmental samples during the course of the investigation. The samples are currently undergoing analysis at an FDA lab in the United States, and the agency is currently evaluating all of the evidence associated with this investigation.
Results of the investigation should assist Agropecuaria Montelibano in identifying and implementing additional pathogen-control measures needed to ensure that its produce meets U.S. standards for food safety."

[notyard]

Center for Disease Control April 2nd update on the Salmonella litchfield outbreak from Honduran cantaloupe from one grower/packer:

Investigation Update: Outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield Infections, 2008

Persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Litchfield, United States, by state, January 1 to April 2, 2008. (N=51)

http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/images/map_litchfield_tn.png (http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/litchfield/map.html) Click map to view a larger image. (http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/litchfield/map.html)



Information posted April 2, 2008

Click Here for Advice to Consumers (http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/litchfield/#advice)
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in multiple states across the United States and with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield infections. An investigation that used interviews comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons is showing that cantaloupe from Honduras is the likely source of the illnesses.

As of April 2, 2008, state health departments identified 51 ill persons in 16 states infected with Salmonella Litchfield with the same genetic fingerprint. Ill persons with the outbreak strain have been reported from Arizona (1 person), California (10), Colorado (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (2), New Mexico (1), New York (5), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (5), Tennessee (1), Utah (5), Washington (10), and Wisconsin (3). Onset dates, which are known for 50 patients, ranged from January 10 to March 10, 2008. Their ages range from <1 to 93 years; 59% are female. At least 16 persons have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. In addition, 9 ill persons with the outbreak strain have been reported in Canada.

Investigation of the Outbreak

Investigators defined a case as infection on or after January 1, 2008 with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Litchfield. In an epidemiologic study, ill persons answered questions about foods consumed during the days before becoming ill and investigators compared their responses to those of well persons. The study indicates that cantaloupe is the likely source of infections.

The Food and Drug Administration issued an import alert regarding entry of cantaloupe from one Honduran company, Agropecuaria Montelibano (http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01808.html (http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01808.html)). The import alert advises that all cantaloupes shipped to the United States by this company be detained. In addition, the FDA is advising United State grocers, food service operators, and produce processors to remove from their stock any cantaloupes from this company.

The FDA is working collaboratively with Honduran Government officials and Agropecuaria Montelibano to investigate the source of contamination.
All importers have recalled the cantaloupes they purchased from Agropecuaria Montelibano; information about these recalls can be found at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/cantaloupelist.html (http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/cantaloupelist.html).

Clinical features

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12–72 hours after infection. Infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. The illness usually lasts 4 – 7 days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. When severe infection occurs, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites, and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

Advice to consumers

These products may still be in grocery stores and in consumers’ homes. Consumers who have cantaloupe in their homes can check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from this Honduran company. Cantaloupe from this company should be discarded and not consumed. No illness has been linked to cantaloupe from other sources.

[gatito]

:eek: :eek: thanks jude !! :eek: :eek:

[Scharoun]

Does anyone know of a a product that you can use to wash fruit prior to eating it?:confused:

[notyard]

Does anyone know of a a product that you can use to wash fruit prior to eating it?:confused:

There are several consumer products marketed for fruit and vegetable washing, and also some homemade recipes out there on the internet.

Examples of consumer fruit & vegetable washes (you can use the products on either, as directed by the product label):


Mom's Veggiewash
Environne Fruit & Vegetable Wash (spray and travel wipes both)
Fit Fruit & Vegetable Wash (I see this one often in the grocery store produce aisle)
Watkins Fresh Wash fruit & vegetable wash (on backorder at the moment--a popular item with the recent cantaloupe recalls)
Veggie Wash
Biokleen Produce Wash
Vermont Soap Organics Produce Magic
and many others
As far as the homemade fruit and vegetable wash recipes, I can't vouch for their effectiveness without some testing data to look at, but, in all honesty, many of them look like they will work when you read through their ingredients.

Hope that this information helps! If you run a search on any of these product names, they should turn up, but if they don't I can give you websites.

[notyard]

No good news for Agropecuaria Montelíbano (AM)--the FDA continues to reject AM's produce at the border, and review AM's food safety control improvements:

Update on the FDA Investigation in Honduras

May 6, 2008: Honduran firm Agropecuaria Montelíbano continues to work to improve its FOOD-safety controls over its growing and packing operations to minimize the potential for contamination of cantaloupes. The firm has provided the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within the U.S. Department of Health And Human Services (HHS) with documentation of its corrective actions made through April 2008. However, after review of the documentation submitted, the measures implemented to date do not appear to adequately prevent the risk of contamination. HHS/FDA continues to work with the firm by providing a detailed review of the corrective measures, including specific comment on the areas that still need improvement.

On March 21, 2008, HHS/FDA issued an Import Alert on Agropecuaria Montelíbano after epidemiological and trace-back investigations linked cantaloupes from that company to a Salmonellosis outbreak in the United States, with 51 illnesses confirmed in 16 States.

A multidisciplinary team, which consisted of experts from both HHS/FDA and the HHS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducted an on-site evaluation of Agropecuaria Montelíbano in Honduras.

Agropecuaria U.S. Customs officials and HHS/FDA will continue to detain Agropecuaria Montelíbano's product, without physical examination, when offered for entry into the United States, until HHS/FDA lifts the Import Alert. For HHS/FDA to remove Agropecuaria Montelíbano from the Import Alert, HHS/FDA needs to verify that the firm has taken the corrective measures necessary to ensure that it is growing, processing and transporting cantaloupes in a way that does not cause the melons to appear to be adulterated, that its product meets U.S. standards for food safety, and that, specifically, its cantaloupes do not contain Salmonella.