CDC Warns Against Consuming Unidentified Brand of Pre-cut Cantaloupe Amid Expanding Salmonella Outbreak

By FDA
Posted on 12/01/23 | News Source: FDA

Products and Stores Affected (Expanded and Updated on 11/30/2023)

Recalled whole cantaloupe from the following brands:

Recalled pre-cut cantaloupe and products containing pre-cut cantaloupes (these products are made from recalled whole cantaloupes):

FDA has compiled a list of recalls being conducted by companies that received and used recalled melons to make pre-cut cantaloupe or products containing pre-cut cantaloupes. This list will be updated as the agency receives notifications of new recalls.

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

Symptoms of Salmonella Infection

Illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and usually lasts four to seven days. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.

Status

Ongoing: updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

Recommendation


Current Update

November 30, 2023

FDA has received additional recalls of pre-cut products made from recalled cantaloupes and has posted a compiled list of these recalls on the FDA website. This list will be updated as the agency receives notifications of new recalls. If you cannot tell if your cantaloupe, including pre-cut cantaloupe or products containing pre-cut cantaloupe is part of the recall, do not eat or use it and throw it away.  

On November 27, 2023, Kwik Trip initiated a recall of fresh-cut fruit cup and tray products containing cantaloupe with sell-by dates of November 4, 2023 through December 3, 2023 because cantaloupes recalled by TrueFresh were used as raw materials in these products.

On November 28, 2023, Bix Produce recalled Grab N’ Go containers of cut cantaloupe and mixed fruit cups with sell-by dates of October 25, 2023 and October 26, 2023 because products were derived from cantaloupes that are involved in the Malachita cantaloupe recall.

On November 29, 2023, GHGA recalled pre-cut fruit products made from whole cantaloupe subject to the TrueFresh recall. Recalled products were distributed to Kroger stores in AL and GA, Sprout’s Farmers Market stores in AL, GA, NC, and SC, and Trader Joe’s stores in AL, FL, GA, SC, and TN and have “sell-by” dates from 10/28/23 – 11/8/23.

As of November 28, 2023, CDC reported 117 cases from 34 states, with a latest onset date of November 14, 2023. Based on epidemiological data collected by CDC, 40 of 52 cases report exposure to cantaloupe and 19 people specifically report eating pre-cut cantaloupe.

Since the last update on November 24, CDC has added a second strain of Salmonella (Oranienburg) to this outbreak investigation after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found this strain in a sample of Malichita brand cantaloupes.  Two people in the United States are infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Oranienburg.

The investigation is ongoing to determine whether additional products are linked to illnesses. FDA will update this advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.