Expanded recall of Produce of Honduras, Grown, Packed and Shipped by Agropecuaria Montelibano, San Lorenzo, Valle, Honduras

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SECTION

EHS Circular Letter # 2008-23

Date: April 1, 2008

To: Local Directors of Health
Chief Sanitarians
Certified Food Inspectors
Interested Parties

From: Tracey Weeks, MS, RS; Food Protection Program

Subject: Expanded recall of Produce of Honduras, Grown, Packed and Shipped by Agropecuaria Montelibano, San Lorenzo, Valle, Honduras

Several updates concerning the recent Honduran cantaloupe recall have been provided by FDA. The following update includes information on product that was distributed to Connecticut.

FDA Warns of Salmonella Risk with Cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an import alert regarding entry of cantaloupe from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer, because, based on current information, fruit from this company appears to be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada. The import alert advises FDA field offices that all cantaloupes shipped to the United States by this company are to be detained.

In addition, the FDA has contacted importers about this action and is advising U.S. grocers, food service operators, and produce processors to remove from their stock any cantaloupes from this company. The FDA also advises consumers who have recently bought cantaloupes to check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from this specific grower and packer. If so, consumers should throw away the cantaloupes.

Please refer to the following FDA link, http://www.fda.gov/ for general recalled product information. See page 2 for information on specific brand names, UPC codes, and links to the FDA recall notices.

The Department of Consumer Protection, (DCP) Food & Standard Division is aware of the recall and should be contacted at 860-713-6160 for additional information and follow-up.

Local health departments should focus on contacting food service establishments, including institutions, to inform them of the recall. The priority for notification should be establishments serving highly susceptible populations, such as long term care facilities, health care/hospitals, assisted living and day care centers, and schools.

Refer any cases of reported foodborne illness to their physicians for appropriate evaluation and testing, and forward a completed copy of the Foodborne Illness Complaint Form, as warranted.

cc: Suzanne Blancaflor, MS, Chief, Environmental Health Section, DPH
Pamela Kilbey-Fox, Branch Chief, Local Health Administration Branch, DPH
William Gerrish, Office of Planning and Communications, DPH