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Introduction
On
March 21, the Food and Drug Administration
issued an import alert regarding
entry of cantaloupe from one Honduran company, Agropecuaria Montelibano,
following an on-going investigation of a salmonellosis outbreak
that began in the United States in January.
A combination of epidemiological information
from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) and traceback
analysis by the FDA determined that
cantaloupes imported from this particular
Honduran company were associated with
the outbreak.
The FDA is working collaboratively
with Honduran Government officials
and Agropecuaria Montelibano
to investigate the source of the contamination.
All importers have recalled the cantaloupes
they purchased from Agropecuaria Montelibano.
FDA is monitoring the recalls and continuing
to work with other firms that had processed
the cantaloupes to remove all potentially
contaminated products from the market.
Cantaloupes imported to the United
States from other countries and from
other Honduran companies may still
enter the U.S. as before. Only cantaloupe originating from Agropecuaria Montelibano should be discarded.
Update on the FDA Investigation in Honduras
May 6, 2008: Honduran firm Agropecuaria Montelíbano
continues to work to improve its FOOD-safety controls over its growing and
packing operations to minimize the potential for contamination of cantaloupes.
The firm has provided the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within the U.S.
Department of Health And Human Services (HHS) with documentation of its corrective
actions made through April 2008. However, after review of the documentation
submitted, the measures implemented to date do not appear to adequately prevent
the risk of contamination. HHS/FDA continues to work with the firm by
providing a detailed review of the corrective measures, including specific
comment on the areas that still need improvement.
On March 21, 2008, HHS/FDA issued an Import Alert on Agropecuaria Montelíbano
after epidemiological and trace-back investigations linked cantaloupes from
that company to a Salmonellosis outbreak in the United States, with 51 illnesses
confirmed in 16 States.
A multidisciplinary team, which consisted of experts from both HHS/FDA and
the HHS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducted an on-site evaluation
of Agropecuaria Montelíbano in Honduras.
Agropecuaria U.S. Customs officials and HHS/FDA will continue to detain Agropecuaria
Montelíbano's product, without physical examination, when offered for
entry into the United States, until HHS/FDA lifts the Import Alert. For
HHS/FDA to remove Agropecuaria Montelíbano from the Import Alert, HHS/FDA
needs to verify that the firm has taken the corrective measures necessary to
ensure that it is growing, processing and transporting cantaloupes in a way
that does not cause the melons to appear to be adulterated, that its product
meets U.S. standards for food safety, and that, specifically, its cantaloupes
do not contain Salmonella.
Archived Updates on the FDA Investigation in Honduras
What Cantaloupes Have Been Recalled?
News Updates
Tips for Consumers
- The FDA 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.
- FDA Warns Not to Eat Cantaloupe from Honduran Grower
What Is FDA Doing?
- FDA has issued an import alert to detain all cantaloupes shipped to the United States from this company.
- FDA has contacted importers and is advising U.S. grocers, food service operators, and produce processors to remove from their stock any cantaloupes from this company.
- FDA continues to investigate this outbreak in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state partners. Such intervention is a key component of FDA's Food Protection Plan.
- How the FDA Works to Keep Produce Safe
Information About Salmonella
How Do I Report a Cantaloupe Complaint?
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Recalls & Alerts