MDA: use caution with cantaloupes

Published 6:04 am Wednesday, April 2, 2008

By Staff
LANSING – Michigan Department of Agriculture Director (MDA) Don Koivisto urges consumers to use caution when purchasing or eating cantaloupes in light of a recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issuance of an import alert Class I recall against melons from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer.
Currently, it appears cantaloupes from this company may be associated with a salmonella litchfield outbreak in both the United States and Canada.
A nationwide recall of the cantaloupe was announced by Central American Produce Inc. of Pompano Beach, Fla., on March 24.
"While no illnesses have been onfirmed in Michigan from individuals eating the cantaloupe, people still need to follow sound food safety practices to reduce the risk of contracting salmonella," said Koivisto.
"If you've recently bought some cantaloupe, you need to check with the place of purchase to find out where it came from. Also, a good rule of thumb is, 'When in doubt, throw it out!' "
The products being recalled by Central American Produce are Mike's Melons and Mayan Pride brands Cantaloupes.
The recalled cantaloupes were distributed for sale in medium brown cardboard cartons with the brands "Mike's 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
Symptoms of food-borne 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.
"MDA will continue to monitor this recall closely and work in concert with our federal partners to insure the food we eat is safe," said Koivisto. "Our field staff will be conducting recall audit checks as part of their daily activities making sure the product has been removed from commerce."