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4-3-2008

CANTALOUPES RECALLED FOR POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK, WARNS AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER

Bounty Fresh, LLC, has recalled cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer, because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that cantaloupe fruit from this company may 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, according to West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass.

Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, salmonella can enter the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled product was distributed nationwide to wholesalers and grocery stores and packed three melons in a sleeve under the brand “Chestnut Hill Farms,” or one melon per sleeve under the “Perfect Melon” brand. Individual melons are not labeled, but sleeves contain tags that either say “Perfect Melon” (one count), or “Chestnut Hill Farms” (three count).

Whole cantaloupe fruits subject to this recall were sold in boxes marked with the following text: “Produce of Honduras, Grown, Packed and Shipped by Agropecuaria Montelibano, San Lorenzo, Valle, Honduras.” All boxes also contain the Chestnut Hill Farms logo.

This recall has been initiated based on the FDA’s determination – based on current information – that cantaloupe fruit from the referenced grower/packer appears to be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada.

Consumers who have recently bought whole cantaloupes from the specific grower and packer should destroy these products immediately. Consumers with questions may contact Raul Romero, Bounty Fresh, LLC, at 304-592-6969.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.

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