Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc., of Owensville, Indiana, is voluntarily recalling all of its cantaloupes from the 2012 growing season that may remain in the marketplace. This recall is occurring because of concern some cantaloupes may be contaminated with 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.
This voluntary recall follows a prior voluntary market withdrawal of all Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc. cantaloupes that occurred August 16 and 17, 2012.
During the period June 21, 2012 to August 16, 2012, Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc., marketed cantaloupes to four retail grocery stores with grocery store retail outlets in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Gibson, and Dubois County, Indiana, and Wabash County, Illinois; and also to four wholesale purchasers located in Owensboro, Kentucky, St. Louis, Missouri, Peru, Illinois, and Durant, Iowa, respectively. As a part of the voluntary market withdrawal, Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc. notified all of the purchasers of its cantaloupes to take immediate action to remove all Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc. cantaloupes from the marketplace, and all of the purchasers confirmed compliance with that request.
The CDC reports that for the period July 7, 2012, through August 22, 2012, there have been reports of some 178 persons nationwide who may have become sick in connection with consumption of cantaloupes. The FDA investigation is ongoing and incomplete at this time. After discussion with the FDA, Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc., decided to conduct the recall as a precautionary measure.
Consumers should inquire about the source of cantaloupes before purchasing additional cantaloupes or using cantaloupes already purchased. To be absolutely certain, consumers should destroy any cantaloupes currently in their possession the origin of which cannot be identified.
Source: FDA
