Press release, 2006 November 20

Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW Atlanta, GA 30334
www.agr.georgia.gov

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, November 20, 2006

Contact: Yao Seidu, Arty Schronce, or Jackie Sosby at 404.656-3689

Arizona fruit being voluntarily recalled
Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin alerts Georgians to potential Salmonella in cantaloupes

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin reports today the voluntary recall of Arizona cantaloupes that may have the potential of harboring Salmonella, a harmful foodborne organism.
Rio Vista, Ltd, Rio Rico, Arizona is voluntarily recalling about 62,640 cartons of Llano and Nature's Partner brand cantaloupes, shipped between Oct. 31 and Nov. 6, 2006. Lab tests show some of the shipped cantaloupes contain Salmonella. Investigators are seeking the source of the contamination. The fruit is now in its 14th day of voluntary recall.
Irvin says that more than 62,000 cartons, distributed in the U.S. and Canada, have been sold in bulk cardboard cartons containing six to 15 cantaloupes to a carton. The exterior straw-colored fruit, once opened, has orange flesh.
"The young, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly in danger here," Irvin warns. "Salmonella, once in the blood stream can cause severe illnesses."
In healthy consumers, Salmonella may cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In the very young, elderly and others, it can cause serious and sometime fatal infections.
The cantaloupes may have entered the state in the normal distribution of fresh fruit, Irvin says.
Georgians who have purchased Llano- or Nature's Partner-brand cantaloupes should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
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