The Centers for Disease Control announced Friday that a salmonella outbreak in cantaloupe has left two people dead and 28 other people hospitalized in 32 states.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends consumers, businesses and restaurants check the melons available to them to see if they have been recalled. If someone has a recalled melon or is unsure whether a melon has been recalled, they are encouraged to throw it away or return it and disinfect any surfaces that may be contaminated.
According to CDC data, Minnesota has the largest number of sick people, with 13 of the 99 cases reported nationwide. The last reported illness occurred on November 10th. However, the agency cautions that it can take three to four weeks for illnesses to be recognized as part of an outbreak.
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Companies recall melon
Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms on Friday voluntarily recalled nearly 4,900 cases of its whole Malichita brand melons due to ongoing testing of Malichita brand melons for salmonella. According to the FDA, the company distributed the cantaloupes to various supermarkets in California, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin between October 18 and October 26. Consumers should pay attention to corrugated boxes with a price sticker that says “Malichita”. Pacific said it had not received any reports of sick people as of Friday.
CF Dallas LLC recalled packages from its Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac brands containing fresh-cut fruit packages on Wednesday.
Sofia Produce LLC, doing business as Trufresh, recalled all sizes of fresh melons with a label reading “Malichita” on Nov. 15. The recalled melons were sold between October 16 and October 23.
National grocer Aldi also announced a recall of melons, sliced melons and pineapple sticks in clamshell packaging with a best-before date between October 27th and 31st.
Last week, Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company initiated a voluntary recall of all fresh-cut cantaloupe products. The recall affects a dozen fresh-cut melon products distributed in Oklahoma from October 30 to November 10.
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Symptoms and treatment of salmonella disease
According to the FDA, salmonella is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the frail or elderly, and others with weakened immune systems. Signs of salmonella poisoning include:
- Bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than three days and shows no improvement
- Diarrhea and fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- Excessive vomiting, especially if it prevents you from keeping fluids down
- Signs of dehydration, including dry mouth and throat, infrequent peeing, and feeling dizzy when standing up
- Stomach cramps
These symptoms most commonly occur between six hours and six days after exposure. Although most people recover within four to seven days, people with weakened immune systems, including children under 5 and adults over 65, may experience more serious symptoms that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
Eduardo Cuevas contributed to this report.