Third Update on Honduran Cantaloupes

Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin is updating Georgians on problems with some cantaloupes imported from Honduras. The melons may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s import alert of March 22, another company has recalled the following:

Taylor Fresh Foods, Salinas, CA
Taylor Fresh Foods is voluntarily recalling selected fresh cut fruit products which may contain cantaloupe from the Honduran grower Agropecuaria Montelibano, which has been identified by the FDA to have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  Taylor Fresh Foods had previously begun to recover this product on March 22, based on a notice published by the U.S. FDA.

The products being recalled include cut cantaloupe and mix cut fruit in bowls and trays of all sizes distributed by Taylor Fresh Foods. Retail and convenience store products involved were removed from sale prior to Monday, March 24. Foodservice distributors, who sell their own brand, have been notified.

Labels include the following: Taylor Farms Gourmet Fruit Tray featuring Creamy Yogurt Dip, Taylor Fresh Melon Mix, Taylor Fresh Fruit Mix, Fresh Fruit Tray with Creamy Strawberry Dip, with Best if Used By Dates before March 30, 2008. Any dates after this are not affected.

Salmonella 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.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Taylor Fresh Foods at (831) 754-0471.

Additional information can be found on the FDA’s website at http://www.fda.gov/ or by calling 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332).

For more information regarding the recall of Agropecuaria Montelibano cantaloupes, see press releases for March 22, 28, and 31, 2008.

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