FDA issues warning on Daniella mangoes in salmonella outbreak

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(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON -- Federal health officials have issued an alert on Daniella mangoes, a brand distributed by a Northern California company, in connection to the outbreak that has caused 103 cases of salmonella poisoning in 16 states so far.

73 sickened by salmonella-tainted mangoes, say California health officials

The Food and Drug Administration issued the warning Thursday after Burlingame, Calif.-based Splendid Products recalled five lots of mangoes imported from Mexico. The mangoes carry the Daniella brand sticker with the lot numbers: 3114, 4051, 4311, 4584 or 4959. The FDA says consumers should not eat the fruit and throw any remaining pieces away.

The mangoes were sold at various U.S. retailers between July 12 and Aug. 29.

Splendid said it voluntarily recalled the product ''out of an abundance of caution,'' after consulting government authorities.

Federal health officials are still investigating what caused the outbreak of 103 cases of salmonella Braenderup infections. U.S. and Canadian authorities are trying to identify which mango brands or sources may have caused the illnesses.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 78 of the cases were reported in California. No deaths have been reported.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency also recently reported illnesses resulting from the same bacterial strain. U.S. and Canadian retailers have said they will recall or remove Daniella-brand mangoes from stores.

Salmonella bacteria can contaminate a wide range of foods and cause food poisoning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. The infection caused by the bactera, salmonellosis, includes symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and cramps. Most people recover without treatment, but it can cause serious illness in older people, infants and those with chronic diseases.