In fruit slicing operations, fruit must be properly washed and surface sanitized to prevent such issues. Melons can be a problem because surfaces may be rough, and can be damaged/soft allowing internal contamination. Melons with a more neutral pH, can support the growth of Salmonella.
CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-expands-salmonella-melon-warning-to-more-than-20-states/
FDA expands Salmonella-melon warning to more than 20 states
June 15, 2018
The count of states where pre-cut melon tied to a rash of Salmonella infections has more than doubled in a matter of days.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration are investigating the multi-state outbreak of Salmonella infections that has sickened 60 people, more than half seriously enough to be hospitalized.
Produced at a Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis, the fruit, packaged in clear plastic containers, was sold at retailers including Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Pay Less Super Markets, Owen's, Sprouts, Trader Joe's, Walgreens, Walmart and Whole Foods/Amazon.
Caito Foods recalled the products shipped between April 17 and June 7. All had a "best used by" date of June 16.
The list of states where the fruit was distributed includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin, the FDA said Friday in an update.
A retail location in California was removed, taking the state off the list, the agency said.
The strain of Salmonella Adelaide infecting people is proving more threatening than many past outbreaks. Of the 60 people to become ill, the CDC had information on 47 cases, with 31 involving hospitalization. No deaths have been reported.
Salmonella infections can spread from a person's intestines to their bloodstream, and in certain cases can be deadly unless treated quickly with antibiotics. Children under five and adults older than 65 are at higher risk.
The outbreak has reportedly led to lawsuits in at least three states, including Michigan, the hardest hit with 32 cases.
https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm610301.htm
FDA Investigating Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide Infections Linked to Pre-Cut Melons
June 15, 2018
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide illnesses that may be linked to cut melons.
June 15, 2018 Update
The FDA is sharing additional distribution information that identifies retail locations that may have received potentially contaminated product subject to the recall. The FDA is advising consumers to discard any recalled products purchased at the listed locations.
The FDA is sharing a consolidated list of retail locations with consumers as the information becomes available. The retail information augments product information released on June 8th. Additional retail locations may be added as more information is received by the FDA. This list is organized by state and has been compiled from information firms have reported to FDA that received recalled product. Firms may be added or removed as more information becomes available. Therefore, it is important that you use the product-specific identification information, in addition to this list of retail stores, to evaluate products in your possession to see if they have been recalled. Consumers may wish to ask a retailer directly if the recalled product was available for sale.
As of June 15, the retail location in California was removed, therefore the full list of states now include: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Fast Facts
The FDA, CDC, along with state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide infections. CDC reports that fruit salad mixes that include pre-cut melons are a likely source of this outbreak.
FDA advises consumers not to eat recalled fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fresh-cut fruit medley products containing any of these melons. Products have been distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers under several different brands or labels and distributed to Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Payless, Owen’s, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Walmart, Whole Foods/Amazon. Other retail locations may be added to the list.
Caito Foods, LLC has voluntarily recalled disclaimer icon fruit salad mixes that contain pre-cut melons to prevent further distribution of potentially contaminated products.
The CDC reports that 60 people in five Midwestern states have become ill. Among 47 people with information available, thirty-one cases (66%) have been hospitalized.
The 60 illnesses occurred within the period of April 30, 2018 to May 28, 2018.
The FDA is working with CDC, along with state partners , to trace back the pre-cut melons to identify the source to determine the full distribution of pre-cut melons, and to learn more about the potential route of contamination.
As this is an ongoing investigation, the FDA will update this page as more information becomes available, such as product information, epidemiological results, and recalls.
Additional distribution information has been added that identifies retail locations organized by state that received potentially contaminated product. The FDA is advising consumers to discard any recalled products purchased at the listed locations. The FDA is sharing this information with consumers as soon as possible and additional distribution information may be added as it becomes available. It is possible that some stores may be mentioned more than once because they received more than one shipment or more than one product. Consumers may wish to ask a firm directly if the recalled product was available for sale.
Consumers who have symptoms of Salmonella infection should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Most infections usually lasts 4 to 7 days and most people recover without treatment, however some people develop diarrhea so severe that they need to be hospitalized.
What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?
The FDA, CDC, along with state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide infections. Epidemiologic and preliminary traceback evidence indicates that pre-cut melon distributed by Caito Foods, LLC is a likely source of this outbreak. Caito Foods, LLC has voluntarily recalled disclaimer icon their products, to prevent further distribution of potentially contaminated products. The recalled products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers and distributed to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The FDA is currently working with state partners to trace back the pre-cut melons to identify the source of the pathogen, to determine the full distribution of the pre-cut melons, and to learn more about how the contamination occurred.
There are 60 people ill with this strain of Salmonella in five states: IL (6), IN (11), MI (32), MO (10), OH (1). The ages of the ill people range from less than one year to 97 (median 67 years) and 65% of cases are female. Reported illness onset dates range from 4/30/18 – 5/28/18. Among 47 with available information, 31 (66%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Timeline
On June 1, 2018, the FDA learned of the Salmonella Adelaide infections currently being investigated in multiple states that are associated with exposure to fruit salad mixes that include pre-cut melons.
In the following days, the FDA, CDC, and state partners worked together to collect additional information and conduct traceback activities.
On June 8, 2018, Caito Foods, LLC voluntarily recalled disclaimer icon fruit salad mixes that contain pre-cut melons to prevent further distribution of potentially contaminated products.
On June 12, 2018, the state of Iowa was added to the list of states that received potentially contaminated product from Caito Foods, LLC. The full list of states includes Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, and Ohio.
On June 13, 2018, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin have been added to the list of states that received potentially contaminated product. The full list of states includes Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
On June 13, 2018, Additional distribution information has been added that identifies retail locations that received potentially contaminated product. The FDA is advising consumers to discard any recalled products purchased at the listed locations.
On June 14, 2018, retail locations in Alabama, California, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Tennessee have been added to the list that received potentially contaminated product. Retail locations in states that are already on this list were also added and updated.
As of June 15, the retail location in California was removed, therefore the full list of states now include: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Recalled Products from Caito Foods, LLC
The additional distribution information is broken down by state: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
What are the Symptoms of Salmonella Infections?
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.
In some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.
Who is at Risk?
Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis. The rate of diagnosed infections in children less than five years old is higher than the rate in all other people. Children younger than five, the elderly, and those people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections. It is estimated that approximately 400 persons in the United States die each year with acute salmonellosis. .
What Do Restaurants and Retailers Need To Do?
Retailers should not sell and should discard all recalled products listed above that were supplied by Caito Foods, LLC. The products were packaged in clear, plastic, clamshell containers and distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. . Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. It is recommended that they wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.
Wash and sanitize display cases and refrigerators regularly.
Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to prepare, serve, or store food.
Wash hands with hot water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.
What Do Consumers Need To Do?
Consumers should not eat any pre-cut melon or fruit salad mixes containing pre-cut melons that were recalled. The FDA is advising consumers to view the list of retailers and recalled products. If already purchased, consumers are advised to throw away the recalled pre-cut melons or return to the place of purchase for a refund. The FDA continues to collect information to determine any additional sources. The FDA will update this posting as soon as more information becomes available.
Consumers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. It is recommended that they wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.
Who Should be Contacted?
People who think they might have symptoms of a Salmonella infection should consult their health care provider.
The FDA encourages consumers with questions about food safety to Submit An Inquiry, or to visit www.fda.gov/fcic for additional information.
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm610345.htm
Caito Foods, LLC Voluntarily Recalls Fresh Cut Melon Products Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
June 9, 2018
Contact
Consumers 1 844-467-7278
Media Meredith Gremel 1 616-878-2830
Announcement
Caito Foods is voluntarily recalling fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and fresh-cut mixed fruit containing one of these melons, produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis, because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Use or consumption of products contaminated with Salmonella may result in serious illness. It can also produce serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with Salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Reports of illnesses linked to these products are under investigation, and Caito Foods is voluntarily recalling the products out of an abundance of caution. The company has been advised by the CDC that it has linked 58 illnesses to the strain of Salmonella under investigation. Caito Foods has ceased producing and distributing these products as the company and FDA continue their investigation.
The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers and distributed in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio.
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.
The potential that these products are contaminated with Salmonella was discovered through analyzing reports made by state departments of public health. Caito Foods has ceased producing and distributing these products as the company and FDA continue their investigation.
Consumers seeking information may call 844-467-7278 Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT and Saturday and Sunday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT
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