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Issues: Food Safety & Security

March 2008 Cantaloupe/Salmonella Litchfield Outbreak

On March 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an import alert regarding entry of cantaloupe from Honduran grower and packer Agropecuaria Montelibano because, based on current information, fruit from this company appeared to be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada. The import alert advised FDA field offices that all cantaloupes shipped to the United States by this company are to be detained. The alert covers both whole cantaloupes and sliced, chopped, or diced cantaloupe.

PMA has been monitoring this situation closely and will continue share with it members any new developments as they become available. There has been considerable communication from both the FDA and the industry about this outbreak. As a member service, PMA has provided links to public statements below.

FDA Statements

• FDA Resource Page on Cantaloupe Recalls - March 31
• FDA Warns of Salmonella Risk with Cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano - March 22
• FDA Import Alert on Cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano - March 21

Industry Recalls

• Taylor Fresh Foods Issues Voluntary Recall on Cut Fruit Product with Honduran Cantaloupes Due to Potential Health Risk - April 3
• Fresh Express Foods Corporation, Inc. Recalls Cube Cut Cantaloupe Due to Possible Health Risk (March 28) - March 28
• JARD Marketing Corp. Announces Recall of Some Fresh Cut and Foodservice Fruit Products Containing Cantaloupe Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination - March 28
• Dole Voluntary Recall on Honduran Cantaloupes Due to Potential Health Concerns - March 28
• Spokane Produce Recalls Cut Cantaloupe Products Because of Possible Product Risk - March 28
• Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Recalls Whole Cantaloupes Grown by Agropecuaria Montelibano, Honduras, Due to Possible Health Risk - March 28
• Bounty Fresh, LLC. Recalls Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk - March 28
• Simply Fresh Fruit Announces Nationwide Recall of Some Fresh Cut Fruit Products Containing Cantaloupe Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination -March 27
• Tropifresh, Inc. Recalls Whole Cantaloupe Products Because of Possible Health Risk - March 26
• T.M. Kovacevich International, Inc. Recalls Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk - March 25
• Voluntary Nationwide Recall Announcement by Central American Produce of Honduran Cantaloupes Brands grown by Agropecuaria Montelibano - March 25
• Charlie's Produce Spokane Recalls Cut Cantaloupe Products Because of Possible Health Risk - March 22

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Health Hazard Alert - Sun Rich brand and A&P brand cut cantaloupe products may contain Salmonella bacteria
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Health Hazard Alert - Cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria

• Agropecuaria Montelibano Web site
• Honduras calls U.S. melon alert unjust, calls for proof (International Herald Tribune)
• Honduras wants compensation for melons that sickened U.S., Canadian consumers (The Canadian Press)
• Honduran president defends melons by eating one (CNN)

PMA Alerts (note: you must be logged in to PMA.com to view these)

• Brands of Honduran Cantaloupes Linked to Salmonella Outbreak Announced - March 25
• Honduran Cantaloupes Linked to Salmonella Litchfield Outbreak in U.S. - March 22