(Little Rock)---The Food and Drug Administration has reported that Susie brand cantaloupe melons from Mexico, brought to the U.S. and Canada during April, have been linked to a recent outbreak of food borne illnesses caused by Salmonella Poona.

The shipper, I. Kunik, of McAllen, Texas is initiating a voluntary recall of the product.

If you have purchased or suspect that you have purchased a Susie brand cantaloupe, you should return it to the store from which it was purchased.

The outbreak involves approximately 50 cases of illness in at least four states, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Two western Canadian provinces also may have been affected.

Consumers should thoroughly rinse all fruits and vegetables before eating them. Consumers should not use detergents, soaps or bleach when washing fruit or vegetables, just tap water. Melons such as cantaloupe should be refrigerated within two hours after cutting and peeling.

Cantaloupes are a popular fruit, high in Vitamins A and C, a good source of folate and about 50 calories a serving (1/4 melon).

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