In OR, Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Sliced Melons

Eighteen people have been reported as becoming infected with Salmonella after eating store-bought, pre-but watermelon, canteloupe, and mixes containing those fruits.

Companies producing cut melon products normally have tight controls over this type of RTE operation, including a fruit washing/sanitizing step and then tight sanitary controls to prevent contamination after washing/sanitizing, through slicing and then packaging - good line sanitation and hygienic zoning.  So to have Salmonella contamination, one would guess either the washing/sanitizing was inadequate or there were some lapses in sanitation/hygienic zoning.

Oregon Live
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2017/12/salmonella_outbreak_in_oregon.html
Salmonella outbreak in Oregon, Washington linked to pre-cut fruit
Updated Dec 1; Posted Dec 1
By Brad Schmidt, bschmidt@oregonian.com
The Oregonian/OregonLive

Eighteen people in Washington and Oregon have been diagnosed with Salmonella after eating pre-cut fruit purchased from local grocery stores, prompting a review by state and federal health authorities.

Officials in both states have traced the outbreak to pre-cut watermelon, cantaloupe and fruit mixes containing those fruits. The products were purchased from Fred Meyer, QFC, Rosauers and Central Market.

Anyone who bought those products from those stores between Oct. 25 and Dec. 1 is urged to throw out the fruit.

"They should not eat it," said Jonathan Modie, a spokesman for the Oregon Health Authority.

Just two of the 18 confirmed cases happened in Oregon, Modie said, with one in Multnomah County and one in Wasco County. Both people ate fruit purchased from Fred Meyer, he said, and the products carried Fred Meyer labels.

None of Oregon's cases required hospitalization.

Across both states, the most recent illness onset was Nov. 15. Modie said it's possible officials will learn about more cases.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating, he said.

Washington's Department of Health sent out public notice of the outbreak Friday. That agency is working to determine the source of fruit, including where it was cut and packaged. Authorities are also trying to determine if other retailers may have sold tainted fruit.

Salmonella symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Authorities say people should contact a medical professional if they experience symptoms.

A spokesman for Fred Meyer, Jeffrey Temple, said the grocer pulled pre-cut watermelon and cantaloupe from store shelves in response to Friday's advisory by the state of Washington.

Customers can return items to local stores for a full refund.

"Our highest priority is our customer's safety and the safety of our food," Temple said in a statement. "We will continue to work closely with state and federal health officials on their investigation to determine the source of this outbreak."

-- Brad Schmidt
bschmidt@oregonian.com
503-294-7628
@_brad_schmidt