Tailor Cut Produce of New Jersey, is recalling its Fruit luau, cut honeydew, cut cantaloupe and cut pineapple products 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, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Tailor Cut Produce reports that their products may be found in restaurants, banquet facilities, hotels, schools, long-term care facilities and institutional food service establishments in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania between November 15 and December 1, 2019.
Since the recalled products may have been distributed to nursing homes, schools, hospitals and other facilities that cater to vulnerable populations, it is important that these facilities do not sell or serve them. Please consult with your distributor to confirm the source of the fruit mix and cut fruit used in your operation.
The product comes in 2/1 gallon cases with a date of production stamped on the side.
The potential for contamination was noted after several patients fell ill in 4 hospitals in Pennsylvania.
According to CDC, there are currently 11 illnesses confirmed by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in Pennsylvania and Minnesota. The person from Minnesota traveled to New York at the time of infection. CDC reports only cases confirmed by WGS, and these numbers may differ from the numbers that states are investigating but are awaiting WGS confirmation to be included in the outbreak.
Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that Fruit Luau cut fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes, produced by Tailor Cut Produce of North Brunswick is a likely source of this outbreak, CDC says.
Production of the product has been suspended while FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem.
Distributors who have purchased the cut fruit products dated November 15 – December 1 are urged to quarantine them and to call for further instructions. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 732 246-2002.
Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
