Caito Foods recalled the fresh cut watermelon, fresh cut honeydew melon, fresh cut cantaloupe and fresh cut mixed fruit containing one of these melons, produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis. The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers and distributed in sixteen states including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Caito Foods had a similar situation last summer where melon product was the source of Salmonella that caused 77 cases of illness. Facilities packing fresh cut melon product have to have tight controls on washing process. Facilities also have to work with suppliers.to ensure that bacterial pathogens are minimized through the use of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and adhere to the FSMA Produce Rule In this case, the melons were imported, so these foreign suppliers must be working to meet US standards. With as much produce as this company is processing, based on extent of distribution, if melons coming in have sufficient contamination and the internal washing systems do not remove the contaminate, that contamination will be passed to the consumer.
FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm635948.htm
Caito Foods, LLC Voluntarily Recalls Fresh Cut Melon Product Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 12, 2019
Contact
Consumers. Caito Foods. 844-467-7278.
Media. Meredith Gremel 616-878-2830
Announcement
Caito Foods is voluntarily recalling fresh cut watermelon, fresh cut honeydew melon, fresh cut 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 Carrau, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), 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 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it has linked 93 illnesses to the strain of Salmonella under investigation. Caito Foods has temporarily suspended producing and distributing these products as the company and FDA continue their investigations.
The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers and distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. A full list of recalled products, including the brand, product label and retailer where sold, is included below. Caito Food and SpartanNash Company supply to independent retailers, so it is important to look at the label description and brand information to identify the product.
Because it is possible that products could still be on store shelves, this recall extends to both retailers and consumers. Consumers should not consume the product and should promptly dispose of any remaining product.
The potential that these products are contaminated with Salmonella was discovered through information gathered by state departments of public health.
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.
Retailers and wholesale customers should check their inventories and shelves to confirm that none of the products are present or available for purchase by consumers or in warehouse inventories. Please contact 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 to arrange for disposal or return of the product.
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
CDC News Release
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/s0412-salmonella-carrau-melons.html
CDC Food Safety Alert for Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Carrau Infections Linked to Pre-cut melons
Media Statement
For Immediate Release: Friday, April 12, 2019
Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286
Good evening,
A CDC food safety alert about a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to pre-cut melons has been posted at https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/Carrau-04-19/index.html.
Key points:
- 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.
- 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, Indiana.
- A total of 93 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from nine states (AL, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI).
- Twenty-three people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
- Illnesses started from March 4, 2019, to March 31, 2019.
- This investigation is ongoing.
- CDC will provide updates when more information is available.
- Advice to consumers, retailers, and restaurants:
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 for a full list of where recalled products were sold.
Caito Foods LLC supplies to various grocery stores, so it is important to look at the label description and brand information to identify the productExternal. The pre-cut melons were sold under many different brand names, 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 had 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 https://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.
Thank you,
CDC News Media Branch
404-639-3286
media@cdc.gov
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