DFI Marketing Inc. of Fresno, CA is voluntarily recalling cantaloupe because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella was found on a single sample of cantaloupe during routine testing conducted at a wholesale produce distribution center (terminal market) as part of a USDA testing program. 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 company is voluntarily recalling this product out of an abundance of caution and no illnesses have been reported.
Through the company’s comprehensive recall and trace back systems, it has been determined the suspected cantaloupes include approximately 28,000 cartons of bulk-packed product. The cantaloupes are packed in 6, 9, 12, 15, or 18 cantaloupes per carton. Specific information on how to identify the product: All cantaloupes are packed in a DFI brand carton and the following is stamped in black on the carton “826 CALIFORNIA WESTSIDE.”
The cantaloupes were packed on August 26, 2012. The cantaloupes may have been distributed from August 27 to September 10, 2012 primarily to retail customers in the following states and one country: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Mexico. We believe, due to the perishable nature of cantaloupe, the majority of this recalled product is no longer in commerce.
As a company committed to food safety DFI Marketing Inc. routinely samples products for food borne pathogens prior to harvest by third party laboratories. The company’s internal sampling of the cartons involved in this recall were negative for salmonella.
Retail customers who may have received this product should contact DFI Marketing Inc. Consumers who may have this product should discard it or return it to the store where they purchased it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-559-449-0244 24 hours a day.
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