by Mary Rothschild | Mar 23, 2011
An outbreak of Salmonella Panama that has sickened at least 12 people has been linked through an epidemiological investigation to Del Monte whole cantaloupes sold in seven western states.
Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. ("Del Monte Fresh") announced Tuesday that it is voluntarily recalling 4,992 cartons of whole cantaloupes because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
The Florida-based company said it distributed the melons to warehouse-club retailers Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Del Monte's news release did not specify which warehouse clubs are involved in the recall. The cantaloupes were offered for sale from March 10 through 21.
This is the third cantaloupe recall in as many years for Del Monte Fresh. In 2009 the company pulled 1,120 cartons of the fruit off the market after routine testing in California detected Salmonella. This past October, about 81 cartons of cantaloupes (each containing 15 melons) grown in Arizona and shipped to the Detroit area were recalled after test results were positive for Salmonella. No illnesses were associated with either of those recalls.
Continue reading, "Cantalopues Linked to 12 Salmonella Illnesses" at Food Safety News.