Warning Issued on Bacteria in Avocado Pulp

Avocado pulp products distributed principally to Mexican restaurants in four Southern California counties may be contaminated by bacteria that can cause a serious and sometimes fatal food poisoning, authorities said Friday.

The federal Food and Drug Administration warned that customers should not eat and restaurants should not serve certain avocado pulp distributed by G Products or T & G Sales, both San Diego companies.

The FDA said the avocado pulp from G Products was distributed mainly to small Mexican-style fast-food restaurants in Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

T & G Sales distributed the bulk avocado pulp, principally to small Mexican-style fast-food restaurants in San Diego County, from November 2000 to January. If frozen, the products have a shelf life of three to four months, the FDA said.

The FDA said the avocado products may be contaminated with listeria, a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal food poisoning in young children, the elderly and people such as AIDS or cancer patients who have weakened immune systems.

No illnesses linked to the recalled products have been reported, the FDA said.