Researchers from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada recently conducted an analysis of Salmonella outbreaks linked to cantaloupes, and identified contributing factors to more severe outbreaks.

The researchers sought data for melon-associated salmonellosis outbreaks occurring between 1954 and 2025 in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia, finding a total of 60 outbreaks. Additionally, the researchers identified 40 Salmonella outbreaks linked to cantaloupe that occurred after 1993, with the majority in the U.S. (88 percent). Of the four melon types linked to foodborne illness outbreaks (cantaloupe, honeydew melon, watermelon, and Galia melon), cantaloupes were the most frequently implicated as the vehicle of transmission (in 67 percent of outbreaks).