The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers about listeria contamination in cantaloupes shipped to New York.

Listeria monocytogenes contamination found in samples of cantaloupes from Burch Equipment LLC of North Carolina shipped to New York and Maine.

The company had shipped 580 cases of whole cantaloupes on July 15, which were then distributed to retail stores.

Consumers should look for cantaloupes with a red label displaying the words Burch Farms and PLU #4319 should discard them as a precautionary measure, the FDA statement said.

Cantaloupes from the North Carolina firm tested positive for L. mono following sampling carried out in New York as part of sampling conducted through the USDA Microbiological Data Program.

On July 28, Burch Equipment LLC issued a voluntary recall of the 580 cases of whole cantaloupes.

No known illnesses have been reported that are linked to consumption of these cantaloupes.

What are the symptoms of Listeria mono illness? Listeriosis, caused by L. mono, is typically characterized by fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. The disease primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. Rarely, people without these risk factors can also be affected.

Consumers should also be aware that the incubation period for listeriosis can be 1 to 3 weeks, but may be in the range of 3 to 70 days.

What do consumers need to do? They should destroy any product with the identification noted above. Consumers who think they may have become ill from eating possibly contaminated cantaloupes should consult their health care providers.

Where were the cantaloupes distributed? The cantaloupes were distributed to retail supermarkets in the states of New York and Maine and it is likely those distributors sent to additional states. Grocery store owners should be aware that the FDA also learned that the cantaloupes were packed into sweet potato cartons.

What is being done about the problem? FDA is working jointly with state officials in North Carolina, New York and Maine to investigate the cause and scope of the L. mono contamination and to ensure that all cantaloupes with the potential for L. mono contamination are removed from the market. Additionally, a recall has been initiated by Burch Equipment LLC.

Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, is advising consumers who purchased Burch Farms cantaloupes from their supermarkets to not consume these cantaloupes as they have the potential of being contaminated with L. mono.

Consumers with questions about fresh fruit safety may call the FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD or email consumer@fda.gov.