Posted on 02/17/2007 7:04:48 AM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
The Fruit Tested Positive For Salmonella
(AP) WASHINGTON -- The Dole Fresh Fruit Co. recalled several thousand cartons of imported cantaloupes Friday after the fruit tested positive for salmonella.
The recall, which covers the eastern United States and the Canadian province of Quebec, is the second sparked by salmonella fears this week.
On Wednesday, ConAgra Foods Inc. recalled its Peter Pan brand and certain batches of Wal-Mart's Great Value house brand of peanut butter after they were linked to a salmonella outbreak that's sickened nearly 300 people in 39 states.
Dole said there have been no reports of illness due to the contaminated cantaloupes, which were grown in Costa Rica.
The company said the recall covered roughly 6,104 cartons of cantaloupes distributed to wholesalers in the eastern United States and Quebec between Feb. 5 and Feb. 8.
The cantaloupes have a light green color skin and orange flesh, the Westlake Village, Calif. company said.
The cantaloupes were distributed for sale in bulk in cardboard cartons, with nine, 12 or 15 cantaloupes to a carton, Dole said. The recalled cartons are dark brown with "Dole Cantaloupes" in red lettering. They have a thirteen-digit number on a white tag pasted to the carton; the tenth digit is a "2."
Consumers with questions should call the store where they bought the cantaloupes or contact Dole at (800) 232-8888.
Salmonella sickens about 40,000 people a year in the U.S. and kills about 600. It can cause diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting.
Salmonella infections have been linked to melons at least since 1990, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends consumers wash the outer surface of cantaloupes and other melons with cool tap water before slicing into them. If they're not washed, the cutting and any subsequent handling can spread contamination from the outer skin to the flesh of the fruit.
I too have fond recollections of Dole cantaloupes.
What's the deal with all of these problems with the food?
Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't MOST cantaloupes have light green color skin and orange flesh?
How can there be salmonella INSIDE of a melon?
Better reporting requirements by hospital/emergency rooms, combined with a "shark attack" news cycle.
As long as they stay away from my fresh Dole pineapple,
melons ain't worth a hoot this time of year
What does Bob Dole know and when did he know it?
This is starting to get alarming.. they just recalled peanut butter for salmonela. Peter Pan with the numbers beginning with 2111 on the top of the lid..
Unfortunaly, I just ate some a day and a half ago before finding out.. so far so good, another day and a half and I'm out of the woods.
The bacteria is on the OUTSIDE of the fruit, but can be introduced to the inside when slicing with a knife. The article suggests washing the outside before slicing.
"My cantaloupes are mature, but still firm. Isn't that right Bob?"
"You know it baby."
guess it helps to actually read ALL the story, doesn't it?
thanks
The PB I have is several years old, made way long before this current scare........
The PB actually dates back to 2006 and on, long shelf life.. so just check those numbers on top of the lid. 2111 I ate some a day ago and then my wife alerted me to a news article about the recall and wouldn't you know it, the serial number started with 2111. What gets me is that we just bought this at the local supermarket and yet they knew about this in august 06 down at ConAgra, which is the distributor for Peter Pan..(they distribute many brand name foods.)
That is the deal.
Doncha just luv NAFTA? Now look at all of the candidates for 08 & see if you can find a contender that is't for it.
Duncan Hunter for one.
I hope so, upon closer inspection it appears my PB was made in 2000...........Well, there's nothing crawling in it and it smells ok so it should be good for a couple more years, right?
Guess you can tell that I don't eat PB very often.......
LMAO, you'd have a better chance with the PB with salmonella..
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.