UPDATE: Burch Equipment LLC (Burch Farms) of Faison, N.C., is expanding its recall to include 13,888 cases of whole cantaloupes (nine cantaloupes per case) and 581 bins (110 cantaloupes per bin) of whole cantaloupes, due to potential Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono) contamination. The cantaloupes involved in this expanded recall were shipped July 15-27 to retail stores in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.

All cantaloupes involved in the recall were grown by Burch Farms. Some of the Burch Farms cantaloupes carry a “Cottle Strawberry, Inc.” label, although Cottle Strawberry Farms is not involved in this recall. Consumers who may have purchased any of these cantaloupes will find on them a red tag reading “Burch Farms Cantaloupe PLU 4319,”or a “Cottle Strawberry, Inc.” sticker with the number PLU #4319. These cantaloupes should be thrown away in the trash.

To date no known illnesses have been reported that are linked to consumption of these cantaloupes. The FDA will provide further updates as they become available.

FDA warns consumers not to eat cantaloupes from Burch Equipment LLC of North Carolina

Listeria monocytogenes contamination found in samples shipped to New York, Maine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat whole cantaloupes from Burch Equipment LLC, of Faison, N.C., because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono).

Prior Recall:  The company had shipped 580 cases of whole cantaloupes on July 15, which were then distributed to retail stores in New York and Maine.

Consumers who may have cantaloupes with a red label displaying the words Burch Farms and referencing PLU #4319 should discard them as a precautionary measure.

Cantaloupes from the North Carolina firm tested positive for L. mono following sampling carried out in New York, as part of sampling conducted through the USDA Microbiological Data Program.

 

No known illnesses have been reported that are linked to consumption of these cantaloupes.

What are the symptoms of Listeria mono illness?

Listeriosis, caused by L. mono, is typically characterized by fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. The disease primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. However, rarely, persons without these risk factors can also be affected.

Consumers should also be aware that the incubation period for listeriosis can be 1 to 3 weeks, but may be in the range of 3 to 70 days.

What do consumers need to do?

Consumers who may have cantaloupes should check the fruit’s tag for a red label reading Burch Farms and referencing PLU #4319, and destroy any product with this identification.

Consumers who think they may have become ill from eating possibly contaminated cantaloupes should consult their health care providers.

Where were the cantaloupes distributed?

The cantaloupes were distributed to retail supermarkets in the states of New York and Maine and it is likely those distributors sent to additional states. Grocery store owners should be aware that the FDA also learned that the cantaloupes were packed into sweet potato cartons.

What is being done about the problem?

FDA is working jointly with state officials in North Carolina, New York and Maine to investigate the cause and scope of the L. mono contamination and to ensure that all cantaloupes with the potential for L. mono contamination are removed from the market. Additionally, a recall has been initiated by Burch Equipment LLC.

Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, is advising consumers who purchased Burch Farms cantaloupes from their supermarkets, to not consume these cantaloupes as they have the potential of being contaminated with L. mono.