 May 14, 2002
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation announced that I. Kunik Company of McAllen, Texas has issued a nationwide recall of its Susie brand cantaloupes, imported from Mexico. The outbreaks of Salmonella poona have been linked to this brand of cantaloupe. It is likely that Susie brand cantaloupe has been distributed to Alaska, according to Janice Adair, Director of Environmental Health. "Because of the risk of foodborne illness, we're alerting consumers who may have bought this cantaloupe to either dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase. Restaurants and other food service establishments should also make sure they are not serving any of the recalled fruit." Food Safety & Sanitation staff is also contacting retail markets statewide to determine if they have Susie brand cantaloupe and that they've removed it from sale. Salmonella poona is a bacteria, 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 poona often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. No illnesses associated with consumption of the product among Alaskans have been reported thus far to the Alaska Section of Epidemiology. However, Adair urges anyone concerned about an illness to contact a physician immediately. To reduce the risk of foodborne illness, ADEC and the US Food and Drug Administration continue to recommend that consumers take the following steps with all cantaloupes and other produce.
For more information on the cantaloupe recall and for other food safety information, visit our Alaska Food Safety website or contact: Nancy Napolilli, ADEC Food Safety and Sanitation: (907) 269-7583.
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