Canada and USA – Cherry Tomato Recalls – Salmonella

CIFA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the cherry tomatoes and store-made party trays containing cherry tomatoes described below because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following products are affected by this alert:

These products have been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, North West Territories and Yukon and may have been distributed nationally.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

FDA

Rio Queen Citrus, Inc. of Mission, TX is recalling 840 cartons of 12/1 Dry Pints of Mexican cherry tomatoes in “Karol” brand boxes, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonellacan result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The “Karol” cherry tomatoes were distributed through retail stores in the states of Texas & South Carolina.

The product was originally distributed in a bulk container of 12/1 Dry Pints in boxes labeled “Karol” with the Lot No. “01W45” stamped in the upper, right-hand corner on the face of the box. The box states “Distributed by Interstate Fruit & Vegetable”, which is an affiliated business of Rio Queen Citrus, Inc. These packages were distributed at the retail level between November 10th & November 19th, 2012. At the retail level, the tomatoes may have been packaged in an alternative container depending on the area and retailer.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.