California health officials have warned residents not to eat cactus imported from Mexico because it could be contaminated with a banned chemical that can harm health.
The California Department of Health found up to 5.8 parts per million (ppm) of Monocrotophos (an "organophosphate-based pesticide") in the imported cactus pads, CBS News reported.
Monocrotophos may have been responsible for the July school lunch poisoning that killed 23 people and sickened dozens of school children in India.
The chemical has been banned in the U.S. since 1989 and is also outlawed in "Australia, Cambodia, China, the European Union, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam," CBS reported.
Symptoms of poisoning include "headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, excess saliva production, abdominal cramps and diarrhea," CBS reported. Nerve damage can also occur.
No cases of poisoning have been reported so far. While peeling and boiling the cactus can remove some of the chemical it is not recommended that the contaminated produce be consumed.
The CDPH provided a list of products believed to contain the poison, but the contamination may be more widespread.
- La Superior SuperMercados in Sacramento, Stockton, Woodland and Pittsburg between 2/6/2014 and 2/12/2014
- Mercado del Valle in Concord between 2/6/2014 and 2/12/2014
- La Sucursal Produce located on Central Avenue in Los Angeles on 2/6/2014
- Fresh American Produce located on Mission Road in Los Angeles on 2/7/2014
- J&L Produce located on Central Avenue in Los Angeles on 2/6/2014
"CDPH and CDPR are working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to identify the growers and importers responsible for shipping pesticide contaminated cactus into the United States, so that future shipments can be examined and verified that they are in compliance before making their way into the marketplace," a California Department of Public Health news release reported.
"CDPH recommends consumers experiencing any ill effects after consuming cactus products consult their health care provider. Consumers that observe the product being offered for sale are encouraged to report the activity to the CDPH toll free complaint line at (800) 495-3232," the statement said.
