Cantaloupes Recalled Over Possible Salmonella Contamination: FDA Notice

This illustration depicts a 3D computer-generated image of salmonella bacteria. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

A produce company said it is recalling cases of whole cantaloupe because there is a potential for them to be contaminated with the salmonella bacteria, according to an announcement posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website.

In the announcement on Sept. 6, Eagle Produce LLC confirmed the recall of 224 cases of fruit.

The cantaloupes were distributed between Aug. 13 and Aug. 17 in Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia and were sold in various retail supermarkets, the company said. Based on the product’s label, the cantaloupes were grown in the United States.

The recalled fruit can be identified with a red and white sticker with the label “KANDY” across the top and a UPC code of 4050.

“No other products or lot code dates are affected by this recall,” the company said in the announcement. “There have been no reported illnesses attributed to the recalled items to date.”

Routine sampling in Michigan showed the presence of the bacteria in a cantaloupe that was sold at the retail level, prompting the recall. The company said it’s cooperating with the FDA.

Customers who have purchased the fruits should dispose of them and not consume them.

Earlier this year, another salmonella outbreak tied to cantaloupe resulted in at least six deaths and hundreds of cases across 44 U.S. states and Canada, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Salmonella has also been found in eggs sold in several states, prompting alerts from both the CDC and the FDA on Sept. 6.

So far, 65 people from nine states have been sickened by the same salmonella strain connected with the eggs, with 24 hospitalizations and no deaths, the CDC said in an update. The illnesses started on dates between May 23 and Aug. 10 of this year, the agency said.

The bacterial cases were linked to eggs recalled by Milo’s Poultry Farms in Bonduel, Wisconsin.

Symptoms of Salmonella

Health authorities say salmonella infections may cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Salmonella can sometimes enter the bloodstream, causing more significant illnesses such as endocarditis, arthritis, and arterial infections.

In rare cases, the bacterial infections can be fatal, officials say. Young children, older people, and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk of developing severe illness.

Health officials say that individuals who may be sick with the bacterial infection should call their health care provider right away if they have more severe symptoms, including a fever higher than 102 degrees F in combination with diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, or diarrhea for more than three days without signs of improvement. Other serious symptoms include excessive vomiting or signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, dry throat, less frequent urination, and feeling dizzy or lightheaded when standing.

Antibiotics are often used to treat people with severe salmonella infections, while patients with diarrhea are advised to drink more fluids.