CDC Investigation Update – Salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut melons

A CDC food safety alert update about a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to pre-cut melons has been updated at https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/Carrau-04-19/index.html.

Key points:

• Since CDC’s first posting on April 12 about this outbreak, 24 additional ill people and one state have been added to the Food Safety Alert.
• CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Carrau infections linked to pre-cut melons supplied by Caito Foods LLC.
• Do not eat, serve, or sell recalled pre-cut melon and fruit medley products produced by Caito Foods LLC. They are sold under several brands and labels.
• Check FDA’s website for a full list of where recalled products were sold.
• A total of 117 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 10 states (AL, IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI).
• Thirty-two people have been hospitalized. Most of the ill people are adults over the age of 50 years. No deaths have been reported.
• Illnesses started from March 4, 2019, to April 8, 2019.
• This investigation is ongoing.

Advice to consumers, retailers, and restaurants:

• On April 12, 2019, Caito Foods LLC, recalled pre-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fruit medley products containing one of these melons that were produced at the Caito Foods LLC, facility in Indianapolis, Ind.
• Caito Foods LLC supplies various grocery stores, so it is important to look at the label description and brand information to identify the product. The pre-cut melons were sold under many different brand names, including several retailer and supermarket names.
• Recalled pre-cut melons were packaged in clear plastic clamshell containers.
• Check your fridge and freezer for recalled products and throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
• If you cannot tell if the pre-cut melon you bought was produced by Caito Foods LLC, don’t eat it. Throw it away.
• Follow these steps to clean your fridge if you have any recalled product.
• Contact a healthcare provider if you think you got sick from eating pre-cut melon.

About Salmonella:

• Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 12-72 hours after eating contaminated food.
• The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
• More information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/features/salmonella-food/index.html.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

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