Downstream effect

From the FDA this morning:

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Charlie's Produce Spokane Recalls Cut Cantaloupe Products Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Mike Ruff
206-625-1412

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- March 22, 2008 -- Charlie's Produce of Spokane, WA is recalling Charlie's Produce Brand Cut Cantaloupe Products, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The products recalled by Charlie's Produce Spokane include the following fruit items containing cut cantaloupe:

Retail Products:

• Cut Fruit 4 Section – 40oz
• Cut Cantaloupe – 24oz, 16oz, 8oz
• Cut Honeydew/Cantaloupe - 16oz
• Mixed Fruit –24oz, 16oz, 8oz
• Rainbow - 24oz, 16oz, 8oz
• Cut Fruit Tray Deli – 12', 8'
• Cut Fruit Tray - 76oz, 40oz 8'
• Grab & Go Fruit Tray - 16oz

Foodservice Products:

• Cut Cantaloupe – 20lb, 64oz
• Cut Mixed Fruit – 20lb, 64oz

The above products containing cantaloupe were distributed in Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana to retail stores, delis, and foodservice institutions.

Products are branded with the Charlie's Produce name and logo, in a hard plastic clamshell, with a Use By date of 3 07 through 3 29 stamped on the bottom of the container.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Cantaloupe used in these products may have been supplied from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer, to Charlie's Produce Spokane. This recall was initiated when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an import alert regarding cantaloupe from this grower, because, based on current information, fruit from this company appears to be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for full refund. Customers with questions may contact the company through:
Mike Ruff – Food Safety Director – 206-625-1412 Monday - Friday