Honduran Cantaloupes Recalled Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

DENVER-The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer Protection Division Monday advised consumers who may have purchased cantaloupes grown, packed and shipped by an independent third-party grower, Agropecuaria Montelibano of San Lorenzo Valle, Honduras, to dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund as the products have been linked to an outbreak of salmonella infection in the United States and Canada.

Initially, a product recall on the Honduran cantaloupes was issued by the distributor, Central American Produce Inc. of Pompano Beach, Fla., on March 24. Since then, several wholesalers and grocery stores that distributed the recalled melons have begun issuing recalls of specific products identified in this news release.

One confirmed illness in Colorado has been associated with the distribution of the product in early March.

Recalled products that may be in Colorado are listed below:

• Simply Fresh Fruit - Simply Fresh Fruit brand food service Fruit Mix in Syrup, products dated “sell by 4 18 08” or earlier; food service Cantaloupe Chunks in Syrup, products dated “sell by 4 8 08” or earlier; and retail and club store Simply Fresh, Fresh Cut Fruit Brand containing cantaloupe dated “sell by 3 29 08”or earlier. Food service distributors that sell their own brand have been notified and are recalling the products involved. Food service products are packed in plastic pails or jars; retail products are packed in plastic trays.
• Dole Fresh Fruit Company - Honduran cantaloupes. The cantaloupes were distributed in cardboard cartons with the brand "Dole" and "PRODUCE OF HONDURAS" printed on each of the side panels of the carton.
• Bounty Fresh, LLC - Cantaloupes are packed three melons in a sleeve under the brand name “Chestnut Hill Farms,” and one melon per sleeve under the brand name “Perfect Melon.” Individual melons are not labeled, but sleeves contain tags that say either “Perfect Melon” or “Chestnut Hill Farms.” Whole cantaloupes were sold in boxes marked with “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.
• Chiquita Brands, International, Inc. and Central American Produce - Cantaloupes were distributed 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 that appears on one end panel of the carton says, “Grown, Packed and Shipped by Agropecuaria Montelibano, San Lorenzo, Valle, Honduras.”

Other distributors conducting recalls, although Colorado distribution was not verified, include T.M. Kovacevich Inc., Tropifresh Inc., Spokane Produce Inc., and Charlie’s Produce.

Daniel Rifkin, Wholesale Food Program manager for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer Protection Division, said “People infected with Salmonella may experience a variety of symptoms and illnesses. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever; diarrhea, which may be bloody; nausea; vomiting and abdominal cramps. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in more severe illnesses and can be fatal.”

Consumers with questions may visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Web site at www.fda.gov for more information. Daniel Rifkin of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also may be reached at 303-692-3644.