Castle Produce Announces the Recall of Cantaloupe Melons Due to Salmonella Contamination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Los Angeles, CA -- February 23, 2007 – Castle Produce, a subsidiary of Tropical Produce, Inc., a wholesale importer of fresh fruit and vegetables announced the recall of cantaloupes in California due to potential health concerns. Some cantaloupes delivered on or after 2/16/2007 have tested positive for Salmonella, although no illnesses have been reported.


Persons infected with Salmonella may experience a variety of symptoms and illnesses. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 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 more severe illnesses and potentially can be fatal.


Approximately 2,560 cartons of cantaloupes were distributed to wholesalers in Los Angeles and San Francisco for distribution in the Western United States. The cantaloupes have a light green color skin on the exterior, with orange flesh. The cantaloupes were distributed for sale in bulk in cardboard cartons, with 9, 12 or 15 cantaloupes to a carton.


The recalled cartons are natural brown cardboard with "Tropifresh de Costa Rica" in green and orange lettering. They have a thirteen-digit number on a white tag pasted to the carton; the tenth digit is a 2 or a 3.


The recall is a result of a US FDA test with a positive detection of Salmonella bacteria. Consumers who have uneaten cantaloupe purchased in the Western United States, on or after February 16, 2007, may contact their retail store to see if the product is the recalled brand.