Deadly Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupe
Consumers who eat cantaloupe are advised to be on high alert following a spate of government warnings over a deadly salmonella outbreak linked to the fruit.
U.S. health officials have ordered sweeping recalls of potentially contaminated whole and pre-sliced cantaloupes over the past few weeks, in addition to urging consumers on Thursday to toss out any products containing the melon, recall notices from officials show. The flurry of warnings has prompted major grocery stores such as Trader Joe's, Walmart and Kroger to continue pulling products containing the melon off their shelves.
Bacteria-harboring cantaloupes have been linked to at least 117 illnesses, including 61 hospitalizations and two deaths across 34 U.S. states, and those numbers could grow, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday in a statement.
What to Know About the Cantaloupe Recalls
Here's what to know about the latest rash of cantaloupe recalls, and how to know if you should save or toss that fruit in your fridge.
Outbreak of Bacterial Infections Linked to Pre-Cut Cantaloupes
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning to consumers regarding pre-cut cantaloupes. The CDC advises individuals to avoid consuming these products if they are unsure whether the recalled cantaloupes were used. This warning comes in response to a recent outbreak of severe bacterial infections associated with the consumption of cantaloupes. The CDC's statement can be found here.
Previously, U.S. health officials ordered the recall of whole cantaloupes from various brands, including Malichita and Rudy. As a result, several nationwide grocery chains have recalled their own products containing pre-cut cantaloupes, such as pre-prepared fruit salads. Most recently, Sprouts Farmers Market and Trader Joe's have removed select fresh-cut products made from whole cantaloupes from their shelves. The FDA has provided a notice regarding these recalls.
Additionally, Cut Fruit Express Inc. of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, has issued a recall of its cantaloupe-containing products. This includes Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5oz, Cut Fruit Express Brand 6.5oz, 15oz, 16oz, and 32oz packages of fruit mix, as well as food service packages of 5lb-tray, 10lb-bag, and 25lb-Pail. These products have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. More information about this recall can be found here.
Affected Products
According to an FDA recall notice, whole fresh cantaloupes with Malichita, Rudy, "4050," and "Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique" labels are not safe to consume and should be disposed of. For more details, please refer to the FDA recall notice here.
In addition, the FDA has issued recalls for pre-cut cantaloupe products sold by major grocery stores, including Kroger, Trader Joe's, Sprouts Farmer Market, Aldi, and Walmart, due to a potential salmonella risk to consumers. These recalls have been ongoing since November.
If you have cantaloupes that cannot be identified by brand, the FDA advises throwing them away. It is important not to consume or use any cantaloupe or products containing pre-cut cantaloupe if you are unsure if they are part of the recall.
The FDA also recommends washing any surfaces that may have come into contact with the cantaloupe using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher.
What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is a bacterial infection that affects the intestinal tract. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, typically appearing 8 to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria. While not everyone experiences symptoms, children under five, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of developing severe illnesses that may require medical care or hospitalization.
Salmonella Infection: Rest and Hydration
According to the Cleveland Clinic, individuals who contract salmonella should rest and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. The infection typically resolves on its own within a few days.
For more information on salmonella, you can visit the Cleveland Clinic website.
