More cantaloupe products recalled over possible salmonella contamination; CDC, FDA investigating
Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY
4 min read
Another batch of fruit products have been recalled after two people died in a salmonella outbreak in cantaloupes across 32 states. In addition to the deaths, 45 people have been hospitalized as the Centers for Disease Control works with the Food and Drug Administration to investigate the outbreak.
Kwik Trip, Inc. initiated a voluntary recall of three varieties of fresh-cut fruit cup and tray products because they contain the cantaloupe that is potentially contaminated with salmonella, the FDA said in an update on Tuesday.
The FDA said that the convenience stores chain recalled the products after TruFresh issued an expanded recall of fresh, whole cantaloupes. Cantaloupes recalled by TruFresh were used as a raw material in Kwik Trip, Inc. fruit cup and tray products. However, no illnesses associated with the fruit cup and tray products listed have been reported.
Recalled Kwik Trip products
The recall includes the fresh-cut fruit cup and tray products containing cantaloupe with sell-by dates of November 4, 2023, through December 3, 2023, per the FDA. The recalled products were distributed to Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Stop-N-Go, Tobacco Outlet Plus Grocery, and Tobacco Outlet Plus convenience stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, and South Dakota.
Recalled products include 6-ounce cups of "Mixed Fruits Cup" and "Cantaloupe Cup" and 16-ounce "Fruit Tray." Kwik Trip has advised consumers to immediately discard the listed products or take them back to a store for a full refund.
Consumers can also direct their queries to Kwik Trip at 608-781-8988.
Here's what else consumers should know about the salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes:
How many illnesses, deaths are linked to the outbreak?
The CDC reported on Friday 99 illnesses, 45 hospitalizations and two deaths linked to the salmonella outbreak.
The most recently reported illness occurred on November 10, though the agency notes that illnesses can take three to four weeks to be determined as a part of an outbreak.
Which states have been impacted by the outbreak?
The salmonella outbreak has been reported in 32 states including Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennesse, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Minnesota has the largest number of sickened people with 13 of the 99 cases reported nationwide, according to CDC data.
Cantaloupes are displayed for sale. U.S. health officials recalled three more brands of whole and pre-cut cantaloupes on Nov. 24, 2023, as the number of people sickened by salmonella more than doubled this week.
Which brands have recalled cantaloupes?
The following products have been recalled, as per the CDC:
Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms voluntarily recalled nearly 4,900 cases of its "Malichita" brand whole cantaloupes due to the ongoing investigation of Malichita-brand cantaloupe for salmonella. The company distributed the cantaloupes between Oct. 18-26 in California, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin across various supermarkets, according to the FDA. Consumers should look out for corrugated cartons with a price look-up sticker labeled as "Malichita." Pacific said it hadn't received any reports of people being sick as of Friday.
CF Dallas LLC recalled packages of their Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac brands of fresh cut fruit packages on Wednesday.
Sofia Produce LLC, which operates under the name Trufresh, recalled all sizes of fresh cantaloupe with a label that says "Malichita" on Nov. 15. The recalled cantaloupes were sold between Oct. 16-23.
Aldi also announced a recall on cantaloupe, cut cantaloupe and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging with best-by dates between Oct. 27-31.
Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company initiated a voluntary recall of all fresh-cut cantaloupe product. The recall includes a dozen fresh-cut products containing cantaloupes distributed in Oklahoma from Oct. 30 to Nov. 10.
What are the symptoms of salmonella?
Salmonella is a bacterium that affects the intestines of people and animals, according to the CDC. People can get the salmonella infection from eating or drinking contaminated food and water or by touching infected animals, their feces, or their environment.
Salmonella symptoms include:
Bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than three days without improving
Diarrhea and fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit
Excessive vomiting, especially if it prevents you from keeping liquids down
Signs of dehydration, including dry mouth and throat, infrequent peeing and feeling dizzy when standing up
Stomach cramps
Feeling dizzy when standing up
Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria, says the CDC. Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days. The CDC recommends getting in touch with a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or get worse.
Is it safe to eat cantaloupe?
The CDC has advised against consuming, selling or serving recalled fruit. The FDA has recommended consumers to discard any food they are doubtful about. However, no warnings have been issued against completely avoiding the fruit.
Contributing: James Powel, Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.
