Aug 28, 2012 (CIDRAP News) – Tainted mangoes from Mexico implicated in a Salmonella Braenderup outbreak that has sickened several people in Canada are likely linked to about 101 illnesses so far in the United States, according to federal investigators.
As federal officials launch their investigation, a Maryland-based grocery chain, Giant Food, said yesterday that it has pulled Daniella brand mangoes from its stores, based on a voluntary recall from Splendid Products.
Giant Food has 173 stores in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Splendid Products distributes mangoes and limes from around the world and is based in Burlingame, Calif., according to the company's Web site.
The mangoes that are subject to the recall were bought between Jul 12 and Aug 24, have a price look-up (PLU) number of 4959, and are labeled as Daniella mangoes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with California and other states on the outbreak probe, and so far 101 cases have been reported, Lola Russell, a CDC spokeswoman, told CIDRAP News.
California has identified 73 patients with illnesses linked to the outbreak strain, 67% of whom reported that they ate mangoes before they got sick, USA Today reported yesterday. Washington state officials told USA Today that they have six Salmonella cases that match the Canadian outbreak's genetic fingerprint, but so far they haven't been directly linked to the mangoes.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the fast-moving outbreak and is coordinating with California officials, who are leading the investigation, as it gets up to speed with all the details, Patricia El-Hinnawy, a public affairs officer with the FDA, told CIDRAP News. The FDA said it would make decisions on its next steps once it examines the information the state has collected firsthand.
Late last week a Canadian produce importer recalled its Daniella mangoes from Mexico after they were linked to several Salmonella Braenderup infections. The Public Health Agency of Canada has said 17 illnesses in British Columbia and 5 in Alberta have been linked to the outbreak so far.
See also:
Aug 27 Giant Food recall
Aug 27 USA Today story
Splendid Foods Web site
Aug 27 CIDRAP News scan “Salmonella-tainted mangoes sicken 22 in Canada”
