Honduras Cantaloupe, Salmonella Warning

WASHINGTON—FDA issued an import alert Mar. 22 regarding entry of cantaloupe from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer, as 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, FDA contacted importers about this action and advised U.S. grocers, food service operators and produce processors to remove from their stock any cantaloupes from this company. FDA also advised consumers who have recently bought cantaloupes to check with the place of purchase to determine whether the fruit came from this specific grower and packer. If so, consumers should throw away the cantaloupes.

To date, FDA (FDA.gov) 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, but 14 people have been hospitalized. The states involved include Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

FDA is taking this preventive measure while the agency continues to investigate this outbreak in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and various state partners. Such intervention is a key component of FDA’s Food Protection Plan.

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. FDA advised individuals who have recently eaten cantaloupe and experienced any of these symptoms should contact their health care professional.

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