Burch Equipment, LLC is issuing a correction of the recall of cantaloupes for possible Listeria contamination. The original recall said the Athena variety of cantaloupes was recalled; the cantaloupes affected by the recall are actually the Caribbean Gold variety. Athena cantaloupes are not subject to the recall.
This is not an expansion of the original recall. The whole Caribbean Gold variety cantaloupes were shipped between July 15, 2012 and July 27, 2012 and distributed in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. The cantaloupes in the recall still have the red label reading “Burch Farms” with PLU # 4319. Some of the cantaloupes may have a “Cottle Strawberry, Inc.” sticker with PLU # 4319.
There have been no reported illnesses to date, although the incubation time for Listeria bacteria can be as long as 70 days. It’s possible that someone who ate the cantaloupe could start showing symptoms in late September.
The original recall was for 580 cases of cantaloupe and was issued on July 28, 2012. The recall was expanded on August 2, 2012 because FDA inspectors found unsanitary conditions at the Burch Equipment cantaloupe packing shed.
