Cantaloupes recalled due to salmonella problem

The Flathead City-County Health Department issued a press release recently announcing a U.S. Food and Drug Administration voluntary recall by Del Monte Fresh Produce of cantaloupes due to salmonella contamination.

The melons affected were distributed by warehouse clubs in Montana as well as Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Local health officials said these cantaloupes were distributed in Flathead County.

Costco Wholesale immediately contacted all members who purchased the suspect cantaloupes, informed them of the danger and instructed them to bring the melons back for a refund. Health officials don’t know where else the product may have been distributed in the valley.

Anyone with questions may call the Health Department at 751-8101

The voluntary recall involved 4,992 cartons of cantaloupes, each containing four beige plastic mesh sleeves with three cantaloupes per sleeve.

It was triggered because they may be contaminated with salmonella Panama, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people or others with weak immune systems.

According to the press release, the suspect cantaloupes originated from Del Monte Fresh’s Asuncion Mita farm in Guatemala.

Symptoms of salmonella Panama infection include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Rarely, the organism gets in the bloodstream causing arterial infections, heart inflammation and arthritis.

This recall followed a link discovered between cantaloupes and 12 cases of infection with salmonella Panama. Del Monte Fresh has suspended production and distribution of products from the affected farm as an investigation takes place.

Consumers with cantaloupes affected by this recall may return them for refunds from the store where they were purchased. For more information, call 1-800-659-6500 or email Del Monte fresh at Contact-US-Executive-Office@freshdelmonte.com.