Burch now recalling season’s worth of cantaloupes and honeydew melons

Burch Equipment LLC, North Carolina, has expanded its cantaloupe recall to include all of this growing season's cantaloupes and honeydew melons that may remain on the market because they may possibly be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The whole cantaloupes are identified by a red label reading Burch Farms referencing PLU # 4319. All cantaloupes involved in the recall were grown by Burch Farms, however some of the cantaloupes may have been identified with a “Cottle Strawberry, Inc.” sticker referencing PLU #4319, though Cottle Strawberry, Inc., did not grow or process the cantaloupe involved in the recall. Cantaloupes from Burch Farms were shipped in both corrugated boxes (nine per case) and in bulk bins. Honeydew melons involved in this recall expansion do not bear any identifying stickers and were packed in cartons labeled melons.

The cantaloupes and honeydew melons involved in this expanded recall were sold to distributors between June 23 and July 27 in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Vermont and West Virginia. The melons may have further been distributed to retail stores, restaurants and food service facilities in other states.

Burch Equipment LLC is requesting any consumer that may have one of these cantaloupes or honeydews to discard the product.

There have been no illnesses reported to date. FDA and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are working with Burch Equipment LLC following a random sample of a cantaloupe testing positive for Listeria monocytogenes. This recall expansion is based on FDA's finding of Listeria monocytogenes on a honeydew melon grown and packed by Burch. An FDA inspection also disclosed unsanitary conditions at the cantaloupe packing shed.

Questions can be directed to Burch Equipment LLC at 910-267-5781 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by email [email protected].