Salmonella outbreak linked to watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide infections that has sickened 60 people in five Midwestern states.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide infections that has sickened 60 people in five Midwestern states. Epidemiologic and preliminary traceback evidence indicates that pre-cut melon distributed by Caito Foods LLC is a likely source of this outbreak. The CDC has reported that fruit salad mixes that include pre-cut melons are a likely source of this outbreak, and the FDA is advising consumers not to eat recalled fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fresh-cut fruit medley products containing any of these melons produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis, Ind.
Caito Foods distributed products produced at this facility in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, and Iowa. The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers and distributed to Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Payless, Owen’s, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Walmart, and Whole Foods/Amazon. Caito Foods has voluntarily recalled disclaimer icon fruit salad mixes that contain pre-cut melons to prevent further distribution of potentially contaminated products.
Among the 60 people who have become ill, 47 people had information available, and of those 31 cases (66%) have been hospitalized. The illnesses occurred within the period of April 30, 2018 to May 28, 2018. No deaths have been reported.
The FDA is working with CDC, along with state partners in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Ohio to trace back the pre-cut melons to identify the source to determine the full distribution of pre-cut melons, and to learn more about the potential route of contamination.