The recall of Daniella-branded mangoes from Mexico has been expanded throughout Canada while the fruit is also suspected as being the source of a similar salmonella outbreak in the US, mainly in California.
The Canadian Fruit Inspection Agency (CFIA) widened the recall following concerns that the contaminated fruit has resulted in around 22 illnesses, 17 of which are in the province of British Columbia and five in neighbouring Alberta.
The affected fruit was sold in Canada between 12 July and up to and including 28 August.
Earlier this week Vancouver importer-distributor North American Produce Sales recalled the fruit, a move shortly followed by Canada-based retailer Giant Food of Landover.
Another Canadian importer, Mex Y Can Trading of Ontario, has also since voluntarily recalled its Daniella-branded mangoes from Mexico.
According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC), 105 people have fallen ill from salmonella in the US, with 80 cases in California alone.
The agency said Daniella-branded mangoes from Mexico may be one source contributing to the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup infections.
Consequently, the US Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) has announced that California-based fresh produce distributor Splendid Products is voluntarily recalling certain lots of the fruit as a precaution.
The recalled mangoes were sold at various retail stores throughout the US between 12 July and 29 August.
“We want to let everyone know our top priority is public safety,” said Splendid Products general manager Larry Nienkerk.
“We have notified all of our customers and we are working with all the government agencies that are involved. We didn’t want to wait.”
Meanwhile, Freska, one of the leading importers of Mexican mangoes into the US, has issued a statement assuring its customers that none of its mangoes from Mexico are implicated in the salmonella outbreak.
“Freska Produce International would like to stress that our produce/products are in no way associated with the voluntary recall of Daniella mangos by certain retailers and shippers due to a possible salmonella contamination and that we pack under our proprietary labels, “Freska” and “Bunny” only,” explained sales manager Tom Hall.
In additional to its current food safety protocols already in place, Freska said it has also taken the necessary steps to test its facilities and fruit with accredited third party auditors.
“The results of those tests have shown no traces of the salmonella bacteria in our product and those test results can be provided upon request,” Hall assured.
