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According to the FDA, Five Crowns Marketing (based in Brawley, California) has announced a voluntary and precautionary recall of select cantaloupes packed under the Majesty label.

The cantaloupes affected by the precautionary recall were packed in various sizes with and without individual “Majesty” stickers. All cartons carry the label "Majesty," and are further identified with lot numbers 198 2 or 198 3, and pack dates of Nov 4, Nov 6, and Nov 10. Additionally, the cantaloupes in the identified lots were harvested and shipped to wholesalers, retailers, and food service operators in the states of Alabama, California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Click on the following link to view the FDA Recall Release.

Five Crowns Marketing announced the recall immediately after learning that routine testing on a lot of cantaloupes packed on November 4, 2009 confirmed positive for Salmonella. In turn, the company announced, in an abundance of caution, a recall of all cantaloupe from the same lot.

It is also important to note that, to date, there have been no reports of illness associated with the consumption of these products. According to the company, most of the cantaloupes have likely already passed through the distribution chain. Nevertheless, the company continues to work with its customers to ensure that all of the potentially affected cantaloupes have been accounted for.

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Tanimura & Antle (located in Salinas, California) has announced a voluntary recall of various romaine lettuce products following a finding of Salmonella in a random sampe taken by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture. Immediately after being informed of the positive test result, the company initiated comprehensive trace-back efforts, and was able to contact all customers within hours. Those buyers have been told to destroy the lettuce.

The recalled lettuce, which had been distributed to retail, foodservice and wholesale customers in 29 states, was harvested between June 25 and July 2, 2009. The specific products affected by the recall include cartons of bulk and wrapped lettuce with a lot code 531380. Click here to view a copy of the Company Press Release.

According to Tanimura & Antle, the affected products were distributed to the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Chief executive officer Rick Antle stated that Tanimura & Antle practices strict food safety guidelines. Additionally, despite the lettuce being past its shelf life, he cited an "abundance of caution" in issuing the recall. "We will continue to review opportunities for improvement," Antle said. “Although the recalled product is well beyond the 14-16 day shelf life, we are voluntarily issuing this recall because we want to ensure that we minimize even the slightest risk to public health.”

To date, there have been no reports of illness associated with the lettuce. Moving forward, the company also stated that it will continue to update its website with more information. Consumers with questions, or who need information, may call Tanimura & Antle at 1-877-827-7388.

AUGUST 3, 2009 UPDATE:

On August 3, 2009, Tanimura & Antle expanded the geographic scope of its original recall to include product distributed to all 50 states.  Although the volume of cases from the single recalled lot (which is identified above) has not changed, the company recognizesd the possibility that some customers may have distributed the romaine in states beyond the original 29 -- thus, prompting the expansion. Click on the following link to view a copy of the Updated Recall Release.

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The Ohio Department of Health is currently investigating a potential E. coli O157:H7 outbreak involving numerous cases in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

In turn, Valley Meats LLC (a Coal Valley, Illinois, company) announced a precautionary and voluntarily recall of certain ground beef products after learning the products could potentially be associated with reported illnesses. This possible association was announced by the Ohio Department of Health as part of its ongoing epidemiological investigation.

Approximately 95,898 pounds of ground beef were affected by this voluntary and precautionary recall. The products at issue were produced on March 10, 2009, bear establishment number “EST. 5712,” and were sold nationwide to numerous distributors. Several Valley Meats brands were included in the recall, including 3S, Grillmaster, J & B, Klub, Thick 'N Savory and Ultimate. Click on the following link to view a complete list of products affected by the recall.

Because all raw ground beef products can potentially carry harmful bacteria, the USDA instructs consumers to only eat ground beef patties that have been thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 160°. Thoroughly cooking raw beef will destroy any pathogens that might be present, and render the products perfectly safe.

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