The FDA has put an import alert on cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer, because the fruit may be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada. Cantaloupes shipped to the United States from this company are to be detained. Also, grocers and food providers are to remove the cantaloupes from this company from their stock.
Consumers who have recently purchased cantaloupes should check to see who the grower and packer are. if the cantaloupes are from Agropecuaria Montelibano then they should be thrown away.
So far there have been 50 reports of illness in 16 different states and 9 confirmed illnesses in Canada that have been linked to the consumption of cantaloupes. There have not been any deaths but 14 people have had to be hospitalized.
The FDA is taking this preventive measure while the agency continues to investigate this outbreak in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state partners. Such intervention is a key component of FDA's Food Protection Plan.
To learn more about Salmonella and its symptoms click here.