First cantaloupes, now mangoes – is any fruit safe to eat this summer?
A recent salmonella outbreak in California appears to be linked to tainted mangoes imported from Mexico that may have sickened more than 100 people in several states as well as Canada.
At least 73 California residents have been infected with a strain of salmonella Braenderup linked to mangoes, Matt Conens, a spokesman for the California Department of Public Health, told NBC News.
The cases involve the same bacterial strain as a recent outbreak in Canada, where health authorities have warned consumers not to eat Daniella brand mangoes (grown in Mexico).
Salmonella poisoning can cause fever, headache, vomiting nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea. In people with weakened immune systems, including children and the elderly, it can cause serious illness and death.
As of now, neither the CDC nor California health officials have confirmed a recall of contaminated mangoes, or named specific brands.
While food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled, eating food tainted with the bacteria may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections in children, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.
“We will update the public when more information becomes available,” said CDC spokeswoman Lola Russell.
