CDC Investigation Update – Salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut melons

A CDC food safety alert update about a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to pre-cut melons has been updated at www.cdc.gov/salmonella/Carrau-04-19/index.html.

Key points:

Since CDC’s first posting on April 12 about this outbreak, 24 additional ill people and one state have been added to the Food Safety Alert.
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Carrau infections linked to pre-cut melons supplied by Caito Foods LLC.
Do not eat, serve, or sell recalled pre-cut melon and fruit medley products produced by Caito Foods LLC. They are sold under several brands and labels.
Check FDA’s websiteexternal icon for a full list of where recalled products were sold.
A total of 117 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 10 states (AL, IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI).
Thirty-two people have been hospitalized. Most of the ill people are adults over the age of 50 years. No deaths have been reported.
Illnesses started from March 4, 2019, to April 8, 2019.
This investigation is ongoing.

Advice to consumers, retailers, and restaurants:

On April 12, 2019, Caito Foods LLC, recalled pre-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fruit medley products containing one of these melons that were produced at the Caito Foods LLC, facility in Indianapolis, Ind.
Caito Foods LLC supplies various grocery stores, so it is important to look at the label description and brand information to identify the product. The pre-cut melons were sold under many different brand namesexternal icon, including several retailer and supermarket names.
Recalled pre-cut melons were packaged in clear plastic clamshell containers.
Check your fridge and freezer for recalled products and throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
If you cannot tell if the pre-cut melon you bought was produced by Caito Foods LLC, don’t eat it. Throw it away.
Follow these steps to clean your fridge if you have any recalled product.
Contact a healthcare provider if you think you got sick from eating pre-cut melon.

About Salmonella:

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 12-72 hours after eating contaminated food.
The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
More information can be found at www.cdc.gov/features/salmonella-food/index.html.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.