Oct 28, 2002 3:20 pm US/Eastern

(AP) (PHILADELPHIA) The government stopped imports of Mexican cantaloupes Monday until it can certify they are produced in more sanitary conditions, a step taken because of repeated food-poisoning outbreaks linked to the imported melons.

The Food and Drug Administration said it was stopping imports before the fall season begins for Mexican cantaloupe, so that produce already on store shelves should not be affected.

In the last three years, imported Mexican cantaloupes have been linked to four outbreaks of salmonella infection that killed two people and hospitalized at least 18 others.

Salmonella is a type of bacterium that can cause life-threatening infections in young children, the elderly and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people who are infected often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The FDA blames poor sanitation in the growing, packing and shipping of the cantaloupes, and for over a year has not allowed imports of certain brands. But because FDA workers have found salmonella-tainted cantaloupes in most of Mexico's growing regions, Monday's action expands the import stop to all brands until the FDA and Mexican government finish developing a food-safety program to improve sanitation.

Meanwhile, the FDA urged consumers to take steps to avoid all types of contaminated produce by buying only fresh produce that is not bruised or damaged, keeping it refrigerated, and washing all fruits and vegetables before eating.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2002

Answers

Looking for a "produced in USA" label also helps, but does not guarantee, some sort of safety. I still don't trust Chilean grapes, after the pesticife/fungicide scandal. Eating produce in season also should help. Stores are, I believe, required by law to specify country of origin of produce, btw.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2002

grow your own. melons aren't hard to grow, I hear.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2002

I m not keen on cucurbits (squash, eggplant, cucumbers, pumpkins, melons, ec.) but I did try to grow all of those at one time or another. No matter how mildew-proof they were supposed to be, they all got mildew and died.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2002

we haven't had much luck with canteloupes either, but squash, butternut and another I can't remember the name of, did well. Took over the whole back yard and looked real pretty.

I'd like to try honeydew, but don't have the strength to think about it yet.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2002