recall question

[prayerbear]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this. Feel free to move it.

Organic newbie here, if we buy organic and/or local farmer's market, would we avoid things like this recall?

Source: FDA Warns of Salmonella Risk with Cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano

FDA News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2008


Media Inquiries:
Stephanie Kwisnek, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA

FDA Warns of Salmonella Risk with Cantaloupes from Agropecuaria
Montelibano
The agency detains products from the Honduran manufacturer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an import alert
regarding entry of cantaloupe from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a
Honduran grower and packer, because, based on current information,
fruit from this company appears to be associated with a Salmonella
Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada. The import alert
advises FDA field offices that all cantaloupes shipped to the United
States by this company are to be detained.

In addition, the FDA has contacted importers about this action and is
advising U.S. grocers, food service operators, and produce processors
to remove from their stock any cantaloupes from this company. The FDA
also advises consumers who have recently bought cantaloupes to check
with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from this
specific grower and packer. If so, consumers should throw away the
cantaloupes.

To date, the FDA has received reports of 50 illnesses in 16 states and
nine illnesses in Canada linked to the consumption of cantaloupes. No
deaths have been reported; however, 14 people have been hospitalized.
The states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois,
Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The FDA is taking this preventive measure while the agency continues
to investigate this outbreak in cooperation with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and state partners. Such intervention
is a key component of FDA's Food Protection Plan.

Symptoms of foodborne Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting,
fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor health or
weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and
cause life-threatening infections. Individuals who have recently eaten
cantaloupe and experienced any of these symptoms should contact their
health care professional.

The FDA recommends that consumers take the following steps to reduce
the risk of contracting Salmonella or other foodborne illnesses from
cantaloupes:

* Purchase cantaloupes that are not bruised or damaged. If buying
fresh-cut cantaloupe, be sure it is refrigerated or surrounded by ice.

* After purchase, refrigerate cantaloupes promptly.

* Wash hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling fresh
cantaloupes.

* Scrub whole cantaloupes by using a clean produce brush and cool
tap water immediately before eating. Don't use soap or detergents.

* Use clean cutting surfaces and utensils when cutting
cantaloupes. Wash cutting boards, countertops, dishes, and utensils
with hot water and soap between the preparation of raw meat, poultry,
or seafood and the preparation of cantaloupe.

* If there happens to be a bruised or damaged area on a
cantaloupe, cut away those parts before eating it.

* Leftover cut cantaloupe should be discarded if left at room
temperature for more than two hours.

* Use a cooler with ice or use ice gel packs when transporting or
storing cantaloupes outdoors.

[austinmomto2]

I wouldn't ignore it. Even if you bought some produce locally/organically, it still could be recalled-not saying it applies to this situation. But, when in doubt, contact the farmer or farmer's market you bought a suspected item from and just ask them or let them know the situation. Just because something is organic and/or locally grown doesnot mean it is impervious to being recalled.

Also, I am real touchy about any produce with potential for E.Coli or Salmonella outbreaks since I was hospitalized as a baby in critical condition with salmonella poisoning from tainted food. I spent 6 months in critical condition. So, for me I follow the motto "when in doubt, throw it out!"

[OHeather]

Am I the only one that washes produce before cutting into it? I don't always, but most of the time I do, whether with veggie wash or a real long rinse of H2O. I rinse my oranges too most of the time. The knife cutting into the fruits/vegs touch the outside rind and then go right through.

I always think of the number of people that have touched it before me. Not to mention the large chance that it has dropped on the floor before I got it into my cart...

C'mon people...don't you put back the ones that you drop on the floor, too? I don't want THAT one! I need one that I know I didn't drop!!

[prayerbear]

Definitely wash everything: melons, mangoes, apples, ...well, usually not bananas.

However, I was surprised when the article said not to use soap. I usually use a little dish soap when I wash the melons.

[austinmomto2]

I also wash all my produce with lots of water especially melons, pineapples, etc-everyone feels free to put their hands all over those so it just disgusts me...

[kristen.c]

Well we are all just a bunch of paranoid people here. I also wash all of my produce- DH gets annoyed with me because I scrub potatoes before I peel them, and then rinse them again after I've peeled them. I have a pineapple sitting on the counter that I will end up scrubbing before I break it down. Oheather is right- the knife touches the outside part which could be contaminated by just about anything and then it slides the entire way down through your food.

As far as PB's question I always feel more comfortable buying things that come from the farmers market or a farm store and weren't trucked in from another state, or more likely another country. I figure there's more chances for contamination the farther they have to travel. Unfortunately even the small organic farms are susceptible to contamination but because of more stringent rules regarding certification I think that organic products are generally safer.

[annalou]

Unless you are buying a prepacked item, like a bagged salad, produce is not washed when it comes from the field to the store. ALWAYS wash your produce unless you see on the package that it's been prewashed and is ready to eat.

Most recalls apply to mass marketed items, not local farmer's market. Unless your region has been implicated and you trust that the farmer isn't cheating (buying things from outside the area and selling as 'local'), then you will very likey be just fine eating the local product.

and, when in doubt, throw it out is good advice.

with good thoughts,
Anna

[moon and stars]

Originally Posted by prayerbear

Definitely wash everything: melons, mangoes, apples, ...well, usually not bananas.

However, I was surprised when the article said not to use soap. I usually use a little dish soap when I wash the melons.

I use a little soap as well (Seventh Generation). I read that suggestion years ago in one of Don Colbert's books.

[wyo-helpmeet]

I wash everything in a bit dish soap & vinegar. I don't even care that it says organic. If it doens't come from my own backyard or a friend's backyard, I don't trust it.

[wyo-helpmeet]

Originally Posted by moon and stars

I use a little soap as well (Seventh Generation). I read that suggestion years ago in one of Don Colbert's books.

We use natural soaps as well- 7th or another one I just started getting. Healthy something-or-other.

[wyo-helpmeet]

Oops, it's called Earth Friendly. I also will buy the Restore if it's on sale & cheaper than the other 2.