Ray & Mascari Inc. of Indianapolis, IN, is recalling fresh tomatoes because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
The recalled tomatoes were sold by Gordon Food Service Stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
Ray & Mascari Inc. was notified by Hanshaw & Capling Farms of Immokalee, FL, that they were recalling the lot of tomatoes Ray & Mascari Inc. received and repacked. Hanshaw & Capling Farms initiated the recall because of the possible presence of Salmonella in their facility. Retail and bulk customers who received the recalled lots have been notified and provided information to further contact their customers and distribution centers with recall instructions.
The recalled tomatoes are sold in plastic clamshells containing 4 tomatoes. The 4-count plastic clam shells have a VINE RIPE TOMATOES label that says Packed by Ray & Mascari Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46204. The master case would be a cardboard produce box with a lid, containing one dozen 4-count containers. The master case label would have Lot# RM250424 15250B or Lot# RM250427 15250B.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled tomatoes should discard the product. Consumers with questions or reports of any illness may contact Ray & Mascari Inc. at 317-637-0234.
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled tomatoes and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here)