This past week, state inspectors found unapproved pesticides on cactus pads (nopales) that can cause poisoning, neurotoxicity and permanent nerve damage. As reported by Channel 7 news this week, Californians are being warned not to eat nopales imported from Mexico and sold at specific retail and wholesale locations, which includes Stater Brothers stores, after inspectors discovered contaminated samples at the San Bernardino Distribution Center for Stater Bros in San Bernardino, California. The distribution center covers 171 stores throughout Southern California and five locations in Northern California. The state health officials reported that under routine sample check between Jan. 23 and 29, they found contaminated Opuntia ficus indica, or nopal cactus paddles, at the distributions center where the produce was packaged under several names, including Aramburo, Los Tres Huastecos and Mexpogroup Fresh Produce. The washing and or peeling of the tainted cactus won’t make it safe to eat, the inspectors said. Anyone who has purchased these products recently should throw them away or return them to the store. Currently, no illnesses have been reported from the cactus to date.
Stater Bros. Market spokesperson was quoted as saying, “The company received notification of the nopales recall Jan. 30 and determined that only eight cases of the product had been shipped to its stores. We have identified those specific cases of product, but out of an abundance of caution, we decided to destroy all product in all stores as well as all product in our warehouse, and furthermore, this product is no longer carried in any of our stores.” Health officials have reported that their inspectors have quarantined or destroyed the tainted nopales they found in distribution centers and on store shelves. Contaminated nopales was found in other food locations throughout both southern California and northern California i.e. Arteaga’s Food Center in Sacramento, S&L Wholesale Produce in San Francisco, and Rancho San Miguel Markets in Madera, to name a few. Nopales is native to Mexico and the southwestern part of the U.S. and the young, flattened, leaflike stems or “pads” can be boiled, fried, grilled or blended raw with fruit juice. Many times they are cut into strips and served fried with eggs. Always be careful where you purchase nopales in the future.