Import alert on cantaloupes from Mexico

The Food Drug Administration (FDA) issued an import alert on cantaloupes from Mexico because of insanitary conditions that have resulted in four Salmonellosis outbreaks in the last three years in the United States. These outbreaks were responsible for many illnesses including two deaths and at least 18 hospitalisations. This import alert recommends that officials detain without physical examination cantaloupe from Mexico offered for entry at al U.S ports. Investigations of Salmonella outbreaks between 2000 and 2002 showed insanitary conditions in the growing and packing of cantaloupe in Mexico.