More cantaloupe recalled in connection with deadly outbreak of Salmonella infections

New recalls of fresh cantaloupe have been made in connection with a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 99 in the United States and killed two.

The outbreak is ongoing and additional patients are expected to be identified, according to the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention.

A related outbreak involving the same brand of cantaloupe is ongoing in Canada and has sickened 63, killing one.

The additional cantaloupe now under recall in the United States have stickers that may say Rudy or “Malachita/Z Farms.” The may also have price lookup stickers with the number 4050.  

Retailers and wholesalers would have received recalled whole melons from Crown Jewels Produce in boxes labeled “Malachita/Z Farms” or from Sofia Produce doing business as TruFresh in boxes labeled “Malichita” or “Rudy,” or from Pacific Trellis in corrugated cartons with certain lot codes.

In addition to the whole cantaloupe, some freshcut products are under recall. There is concern that consumers may have frozen some of the cantaloupe for later use. If it is not known what brand of cantaloupe they have on hand, consumers are urged to throw it away.

Stores and freshcut cantaloupe products sold there include:

• ALDI with cantaloupe, cut cantaloupe, and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging with Best-by dates between Oct. 27 and Oct. 31.

• Vinyard cantaloupe chunks and cubes, fruit mixes, melon medleys, and fruit cups containing cantaloupe. Most have a “Vinyard” label, and some have a red label with “Fresh” sold between Oct. 30 and Nov. 10 in Oklahoma stores.
• Freshness Guaranteed seasonal blend, melon trio, melon mix, fruit blend, fruit bowl, seasonal fruit tray, fruit mix, and cantaloupe chunks; and RaceTrac fruit medley sold in clear square or round plastic containers at some retail stores in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois, Texas and Louisianna (see recall announcement for lot codes and “best by” dates).

More information about recalled products and product images can be found in the recall links above.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing. Updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

On Nov. 24, Pacific Trellis initiated a recall of whole fresh cantaloupes distributed between October 18 – 26 in California, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin, and sold in various retail supermarkets.

On Nov. 22, 2023, Crown Jewels Produce issued a recall of whole fresh cantaloupes, Sofia Produce expanded their recall of fresh whole cantaloupe, and CF Dallas initiated a recall of fresh cut fruit products made from whole cantaloupe subject to the Sofia Produce recall. As of Nov. 24, 2023, CDC reported 99 cases from 32 states, with a latest onset date of Nov. 10, 2023. The investigation is ongoing to determine whether additional products are linked to illnesses.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten any cantaloupe and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

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