Pre-cut watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe melon products produced by Caito Foods of Indianapolis are being recalled after the FDA determined they were the likely source of a multi-state Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 60 people. The June 8 recall of cut melon products, including fruit salads and trays and melon chunks, spears, were sold at Costco, Kroger, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Walmart and other stores. Click here to see the full list of Caito Foods recalled cut melon products.
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The recalled products were packaged in clear plastic clamshell containers and distributed to retail locations in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. At this time five states are reporting a total of 60 illnesses: IL (6), IN (11), MI (32), MO (10), OH (1). The case-patients range in age from less than 1 to 97 years old and report onset-of-illness dates ranging from April 30 to May 28. Sixty-five percent are female. Thirty-one people have been hospitalized.
In interviews with health officials, most case-patients reported eating cut melon purchased from grocery stores, including cantaloupe, watermelon, or a fruit salad mix with melon, but some did not specify that the melon they ate was pre-cut.
Five Reasons to File a Salmonella Lawsuit
Children Under 5 Most at Risk
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that food contaminated with Salmonella causes 1 million illnesses, 23,000 hospitalizations, and 450 deaths in the United States every year. The rate of diagnosed infections is higher for children under five than all other people. In addition, children, along with seniors and those with compromised immune systems, are the more likely to have severe infections.
Symptoms of a Salmonella Infection
Abdominal cramps, diarrhea and fever are the primary symptoms of a Salmonella infection. These symptoms usually appear within 12 to 72 hours of exposure and last about a week. Severe illness can occur if the infection moves from the intestines to the bloodstream. Anyone living in the affected states who has eaten melon and develops these symptoms should see a doctor.
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Updated June 12, 2018: This post was updated to reflect a CDC update that Iowa should be included in the list of states where the melon was distributed.