Seedless watermelons recalled because of possible health risk

DAVIS
November 23, 2009 12:02am

Timco Worldwide Inc. of Davis says it is recalling a limited number of its large seedless watermelons because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this occurrence, the company says.

The large seedless watermelons included in the voluntary recall were distributed to select grocers, wholesalers and processors in California and Texas.

The melons are stickered with the “MelonUp!” label with the PLU (Price Look Up) # 4032 and UPC # 0 33383 40240 6.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing, by a distribution company on Nov. 19 that revealed the presence of Salmonella on the outside rind of a melon randomly selected for testing.

Timco Worldwide says it decided to exercise an “abundance of caution” and initiate the recall in the interest of public health.

Consumers who have purchased the melons are being asked to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.