The U.S. fruit company of Dole has ordered an urgent recall of Honduran cantaloupes because of a salmonella outbreak in the United States and Canada, health officials confirmed on Saturday.

The cantaloupes were distributed for sale throughout the United States and parts of Canada in cardboard cartons with the brand "Dole" and "PRODUCT OF HONDURAS" printed on each of the side panels of the carton, according to William Goldfield, Dole's communications manager.

They were packed and shipped by the third-party grower of Agropecuaria Montelibano of San Lorenzo Valle from Honduras, Goldfield said.

The Food and Drug Administration advises consumers who have recently bought cantaloupes to check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from this specific grower and packer. If so, consumers should throw away the cantaloupes.

Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps that usually go away within a week, although same cases may require hospitalization.