Monterey County Health Department officials are warning consumers not to eat Fruiti Pops 4 oz. Mamey frozen fruit bars due to a potential health risk from Salmonella.
Fruiti Pops, Inc. is recalling its Fruiti Pops 4 oz. Mamey frozen fruit bars due to a potential health risk from Salmonella typhi. No other flavors of Fruiti Pops fruit bars nor any other products produced by Fruiti Pops, Inc. are affected by this recall.
Consumers may have purchased the recalled product from retail locations, mobile vendors, vending machines, or distribution outlets. The product comes in clear polypropylene packaging and is not labeled with lot numbers nor expiration dates. The UPC of the recalled product is 763734000097. Photo of the recalled product is attached.
The recalled fruit bars were distributed in the states of California, Arizona and Texas through distributorships
Fruiti Pops, Inc has issued this recall due to Goya Foods, Inc. recall of their 14 oz. frozen mamey pulp. As of May 2009, Fruiti Pops has used Goya Foods, Inc. frozen mamey pulp in its 4 oz. Mamey fruit bars.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with Fruiti Pops Mamey fruit bars. However, illnesses have been reported in connection with Goya Foods Frozen Mamey Pulp
Advice to Consumers
Individuals who think they might have become ill from eating frozen mamey fruit pulp or “Fruiti Pops” brand Mamey Frozen Fruit Bars should consult their health care providers.
Consumers who have purchased Fruiti Pops 4 oz. Mamey fruit bars since May of 2009 can return the product to the place of purchase for a refund. If consumers have any questions regarding the recall can contact Fruiti Pops, Inc. at (562) 404-2568. Fruiti Pops, Inc. staff will be available Monday through Friday from the hours of 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. to answer your questions.
Mamey
Mamey, also called “zapote” or “sapote,” is a tropical fruit grown primarily in Central and South America. It is prepared by removing the inner seed and consuming the flesh raw, or adding it to milkshakes, jellies, or other foods or beverages. When preparing frozen mamey fruit pulp, it is peeled and mashed, and then consumed as a shake or smoothie. Frozen mamey fruit pulp can be purchased in grocery stores throughout the U.S., and packages have a 2-3 year shelf life.
Salmonella Typhi
Most persons infected with Salmonella Typhi develop high and sustained fever, headache, constipation, chills, and muscle pain 3 to 60 days after infection. In some cases, patients have stomach pains, loss of appetite or develop a rash of flat, rose-colored spots. Infection is usually diagnosed by a blood or stool culture. The illness can last from 3 to 4 weeks and infections may be severe or fatal if untreated. Consumers exhibiting these signs after eating affected products should contact their health care provider immediately.
Monterey County 2-1-1, a service of United Way Monterey County, expects to receive its 10,000th call this Wednesday or Thursday. The service has been active since Feb. 11, 2009 and did not expect to reach 10,000 calls until Feb. 10, 2010. Approximately half the calls thus far have been for assistance with housing, shelter, food and supportive services.
Disaster Preparedness Month
September is Disaster Preparedness Month
Here are some easy tips to help your family be better be prepared for a disaster or emergency as your kids head back to school:
1. The American College of Emergency Physicians urges parents to make sure their children’s schools
have children’s most recent information to ensure they receive prompt medical attention and do not
have to take the time to get parental consent or track down medical records.
2. Since your child will be out of your care for some period of the day it is important to go over basic safety information
about safety rules for going to and from school.
3. One of the most effective things you can do to prevent your child from a disaster is to make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations.
All students are required to be protected from polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and varicella (chickenpox) to enter school. Most children need booster shots before they start kindergarten. Teens and adults also need vaccines to protect them from illnesses.
Make a “back-to-school” appointment for your children and teens. There are some new vaccines that might
be needed. Your doctor or provider can answer questions about vaccines and the diseases they prevent. Bring
your shot record (yellow card) and ask if your child is up-to-date with the following vaccines:
There are myths about the safety of vaccines. Unfortunately, these rumors can cause parents to delay vaccinating their children or
not protect them at all. This leaves children at risk for the serious preventable diseases that we still see in Monterey County. If you are concerned, talk to your health care provider or visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines.
The law does allow parents and guardians to choose an exemption from immunization requirements based on personal beliefs or for medical reasons. If you choose an exemption, make sure you know the signs and symptoms of these diseases and are prepared to keep your child home, possibly for many weeks, if an outbreak does occur.
**Information was taken from the “Back To School 2010″ Preparedness Minute” published by the Monterey County Health Department. To view the original publication please click here.