March 27, 2008

LANSING - Michigan Department of Agriculture Director (MDA) Don Koivisto today urged consumers to use caution when purchasing or eating cantaloupes in light iof thea recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issuingance 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, FL on March 24, 2008.
“While no illnesses have been confirmed 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, Inc are Mikes Melons brand and Mayan Pride brands Cantaloupes. The recalled 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

“While no illnesses have been confirmed 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 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!’”

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.

“MDA will continue to monitor this recall closely and work in concert with our federal partners to ensure 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.”

Consumers should take the following steps to reduce the risk of contracting foodborne illnesses from cantaloupes:

• Purchase cantaloupes that aren’t 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.
• 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.

For more information, visit the MDA Web site at www.michigan.gov/mdafoodrecalls or for more food safety tips, go to www.michigan.gov/foodsafety. Check the FDA Web site at www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html for recall updates.