A salmonella outbreak has been linked to pre-cut melon from stores in 8 states

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Have you bought pre-cut fruit lately? If so, it’s time to check your refrigerator. An outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide that has sickened at least 60 people has triggered a recall of fresh-cut melon and other fruit products in eight states.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report linked the outbreak to pre-cut watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe, and fruit-medley products containing those melons, produced by a Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis, Indiana.

honeydew melon photo
Flickr | Rob.Bertholf

Nearly Three Dozen People Sickened In Outbreak

Recalled products were distributed in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Michigan, according to the report. In Michigan, 32 people became sick after eating the fruit. Thirty-one people have been hospitalized.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising people not to consume the fruit, which was 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.”

whole foods photo
Getty Images | Spencer Platt

Some Contaminated Products Could Still Be On Shelves

The company has issued a recall to retailers, but, “Because it is possible that products shipped between April 17 and June 7, 2018 could still be on store shelves, this recall extends to both retailers and consumers,” Caito said in a statement.

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that causes fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea between 12 and 72 hours after infection, according to the CDC. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. Most people recover on their own, but it can be so severe that people need to be hospitalized — and it can even be deadly.

If you’ve bought pre-cut fruit, check the labels, and don’t take any chances. See the FDA website for product descriptions and UPC codes for the recalled items.

watermelon photo
Flickr | cookbookman17

Fruit Latest Food Added To Recall List

It hasn’t been a good string of months for food recalls. It is important for consumers to keep an eye on local updates on food recalls to stay on top of at-risk products.

200 Million Eggs Recalled Over Salmonella Risk

Back in April, Rose Acre Farm based in Seymour, Indiana voluntarily recalled more than 200 million eggs when they discovered the possibility of salmonella contamination. The FDA reported at least 22 people became ill from possible egg consumption. The recalled eggs were sold in retail stores and restaurants. States affected included Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

eggs photo
Getty Images | Justin Sullivan

Romaine Lettuce E. coli Outbreak

Recently, romaine lettuce was pulled off store shelves by the CDC due to an E. coli outbreak.

The contaminated lettuce caused illness in 197 people across 35 states. The states affected were Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

romaine lettuce photo
Getty Images | Justin Sullivan

E. coli illness usually starts two to eight days after the bacteria enters the system through eating contaminated food. Symptoms of E. col illness include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are the most at risk both for contracting the illness and potential longer term side effects.

e coli photo
Getty Images | Sean Gallup

 

Disease & Illness, Food, Health, News
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About the Author
Jenn Fields
Jenn Fields serves as Simplemost Media’s managing editor from Colorado, where she worked as a reporter and editor, on staff and as a freelancer, at newspapers and magazines. After earning her master’s from University of Missouri’s journalism school, Jenn worked in community journalism for 10 years, writing and editing for the Boulder Daily Camera and Denver Post. Over her 20-year career, she has covered a diverse range of topics, including travel, health and fitness, outdoor sports and culture, climate science, religion and plenty of other fascinating topics.

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