FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 20, 2009 -BRAWLEY, CA Five Crowns Marketing, Brawley, California is issuing this release today voluntarily recalling cantaloupes packed under the Majesty label because of a potential health risk due to possible contamination of Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported to date, and the company is working with FDA to inform consumers of this recall.
Salmonella is 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. Consumers who may have eaten this product and are experiencing the above symptoms should consult their health care provider.
The recall comes after a Lab analysis conducted by a consignee on a lot of cantaloupes packed by Five Crowns Marketing on November 4, 2009, resulted in a confirmed positive for Salmonella. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution Five Crowns Marketing is issuing this warning and voluntary recall on all cantaloupes shipped from the same lot.
Five Crowns Marketing traced back the entire lot of cantaloupes and is advising all customers who received the recalled cantaloupes. Although based on harvest and shipping dates from November 4 through November 13, 2009 would indicate that the cantaloupes have now passed through the distribution chain with no reported illnesses. The cantaloupes in the identified lots were harvested and shipped to wholesalers, retailers, and food service operators in the states of Alabama, California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
Cantaloupes were packed in various sizes with and without individual label stickers. All cartons carry the label Majesty and are further identified with lot numbers 198 1 or 198 3, packed dates Nov 4, Nov 6, and Nov 10. Also those cantaloupes that contain stickered labels are identified with the label Majesty.
The health of all consumers is of the utmost importance to Five Crowns Marketing. With that in mind, even though the cantaloupes have passed through the distribution chain, we have taken immediate action to ensure that all cantaloupes are accounted for and out of the supply chain. We are working with all of our customers to insure that the cantaloupes are no longer being distributed.
Consumers who have recently bought cantaloupes should check with their place of purchase to determine if their fruit is affected by the recall. Wholesale, retail, and food service entities should contact Five Crown Marketing at 760-344-1930 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PST.
Source: Five Crowns Marketing