Canadians are being warned against consuming Dole-brand cantaloupes over fears they could be tainted with salmonella.
The affected cantaloupes, which were imported from Costa Rica, were distributed under the Dole brand name.
However, individual cantaloupes do not have any markings, the CFIA said in a written statement distributed early Friday.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these cantaloupes.
The government agency warned that the affected fruit may have been sold in the following stores located in Southern Ontario:
- A&P in London, Ont.
- Dutton Foodland in Dutton, Ont.
- Elias Fresh Express , in Windsor, Ont.
- Loblaws in London, Ont.
- Lucan Foodland in Lucan, Ont.
- Moore's Foodland in Clinton, Ont.
- Seaforth Foodland in Seaforth, Ont.
- Stonetown Foodland in St. Mary's, Ont.
- Valu Mart in London, Ont.
Two importers -- Elias Fresh Express and Smith Fruit Co. Limited of London, Ont. -- are voluntarily recalling the affected product.
The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall. The CFIA advises consumers unsure of the brand of the cantaloupes they purchased to contact the stores from which they bought the fruit.
Earlier this month, the Dole Fresh Fruit Co. recalled several thousand cartons of imported cantaloupes distributed in the eastern United States and Quebec after the fruit tested positive for salmonella.
Food contaminated with salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness.
The illness can cause serious and sometimes deadly infections in young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
In healthy people, salmonellosis may still cause high fever, a severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea for a short period.
Severe arthritis can be among long-term complications caused by salmonellosis.
The warning comes days after the CFIA reported that some salami products, which were distributed nationally, may have been tainted with salmonella.
Siena Foods Ltd.'s Genoa and Calabrese salami marked with best-before dates of July and August 2007 may have been affected.
