Guide Note: On March 22, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning that cantaloupes from the Honduran grower, Agropecuaria Montelibano, may have caused an outbreak of Salmonella in the United States and Canada. The FDA has contacted U.S. grocers and food handlers to ensure that they do not sell or serve the affected cantaloupes. The FDA says that consumers should ask grocers and food handlers about the company and country of origin of recently-purchased cantaloupes, and advises people to throw away any cantaloupes from this supplier. Several companies including Dole, Chiquita, and Simply Fresh Fruit have announced their own cantaloupe recalls in the wake of the FDA warning.

Fast Facts:

1. As of the March 22, 2008 press release, 50 U.S. cases of salmonella and nine in Canada
2. 14 people hospitalized
3. Symptoms: fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea
4. Illnesses have been reported in: Canada, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin
5. The Dole Fruit Company recalled cantaloupes in February 2007 for similar reasons

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