A multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to cut melons is currently being investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and various state and local health officials. So far, FDA has reported 60 illnesses that occurred between April 30, 2018 and May 28, 2018. All 60 people were sickened in five states--Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio--all located in the Midwest region of the U.S.
The Salmonella Adelaide strain has infected consumers after eating fruit salad mixes that include pre-cut melons, which FDA and CDC believe to be the likely source of the outbreak.
FDA is warning consumers not to eat recalled fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fresh-cut fruit medley products containing any of these melons. The contaminated products, according to FDA, were produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis, IN. Caito Food distributed products to Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. 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, LLC has voluntarily recalled fruit salad mixes that contain pre-cut melons to prevent further distribution of potentially contaminated products.
FDA and CDC are working with health official in the five affected states to trace back the pre-cut melons to identify the source, and to determine the full distribution of pre-cut melons, and learn more about the potential route of contamination.
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