CONTAMINATED MANGO RECALL WEEK

It looks as though we are in the middle of mango recall week. These mangoes came from Mexico and are now just about all over the U.S. and Canada. Mexico is the world's fifth mango-producing country (4.2% of all mangoes), and a lot of them are exported to the U.S. and Canada. And yes, this isn't the first time they have been found to be contaminated.

The current recall involves Salmonella braenderup bacteria. Mangoes have been linked to a number of recent cases of salmonellosis in Canada, and may also be the cause of cases in California and perhaps other states.

The recalls started with produce distributor Splendid Products recalling certain lots of Daniella brand mangoes.(By the way, my compliments to Splendid Products, which has done about the most helpful recall I have ever seen - see next post). Some of the mangoes were sold as individual fruit with the sticker brand “Daniella” at various retail stores throughout the U.S. between July 12 and August 29, 2012. The stores include Costco, Save Mart Supermarkets, Food 4 Less, Ralph’s, Topco stores, El Super, Kroger, Giant-Eagle, Stop & Shop, Aldi, Ready-Pac Foods, and some Whole Foods stores. Other stores may also have sold the recalled product. Not all these retailers sold them in all their locations.

But then, as often happens, the mangoes also underwent further processing. For instance, Spokane Produce, Inc., is recalling a small lot run of Pineapple/Mango Pico de Gallo because of having used them. Winn-Dixie has announced an immediate recall of select cut fruit produced by Renaissance Food Group which contained the mangoes. Pacific Coast Fruit Company, of Portland, Oregon has had to recall multiple types of fresh cut processed items based on the potential contamination of Salmonella Braenderup. I bet this isn't the end of the list either.

What I suggest - sad though it be - is that if you live in Canada or the U.S. you avoid all mangoes and mango-containing fresh fruit salads or cut up fruit for a while.

To your good health,

TSF

UPDATE: 9/2/2012. And yes, I was right. There have been several more recalls of fruit products using the Daniella mangoes, for instance, by F&S Produce company, Pacific Coast Fruit Company, and more...