The Food and Drug Administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Health are investigating an outbreak of illnesses caused by salmonella javiana in Pennsylvania.
“Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes from Tailor Cut Produce of North Brunswick, New Jersey, are a potential source of this outbreak,” the FDA said in a Dec. 6 news release.
Foodservice and institutional food operators should not sell or serve the fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes prepared by Tailor Cut Produce, the FDA said in the release.
The FDA said Tailor Cut Produce reports that their products may be found in restaurants, banquet facilities, hotels, schools and institutional food service establishments in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Because this fruit mix 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 this fruit medley, the FDA said in the release.
The release said the Pennsylvania Department of Health reports that it is investigating 31 laboratory-confirmed illnesses of Salmonella at four healthcare facilities in southeast Pennsylvania, and salmonella javiana has been identified among cases at three of four facilities. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the epidemiologic evidence collected thus far indicates that this fruit mix is a potential source of the illnesses. The state’s review of invoices shows that a common food eaten by many case patients was the fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes from Tailor Cut Produce.
“FDA has activated a team to coordinate its outbreak investigation,” the release said. On Dec. 6, health authorities shared the results of the investigation with the firm, and the firm’s leadership stated that they would work with FDA to implement a recall of this product, according to the release.
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