Fruit Recall Expands As Salmonella Cases Increase: See IL Impact

ILLINOIS — A massive cantaloupe recall continues to expand in Illinois, as cases of salmonella have sickened at least 117 people, left two dead, and hospitalized dozens.

As Patch previously reported, cantaloupe and melons sold in several states were recalled on Nov. 17 due to salmonella concerns. In late November, federal regulators expanded that recall after two people died and 45 were left hospitalized.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated those numbers as of Nov. 30, showing that 117 people fell ill with salmonella across 34 states. Two people have died, and 61 were hospitalized.

Illinois has recorded six salmonella cases, according to the CDC. The agency noted that the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported

Additionally, the massive recall has since been expanded to include cantaloupe products sold in the Northeast, West, Midwest, Great Plains, and the South.

Here are the latest recalls, according to the FDA.

Malichita Cantaloupes Recalled, Sold In California Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin

On Dec. 1, Pacific Trellis Fruit voluntarily recalled over 4,800 cases of Malichita brand whole cantaloupe due to the salmonella outbreak.

The products were distributed between Oct. 18 26 in California, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, and Canada, the FDA recall notice said. The fruit was sold in various retail supermarkets.

The whole cantaloupe is packed in corrugated cartons, and the price look-up sticker was labeled “Malichita.”

Pacific Trellis Fruit has not received any reports of illness, the recall notice said.

In Illinois, Malichita whole cantaloupes were affected with a PLU number of 450 and lot code numbers including 21651, 21699, 21775, 21787, and 21870, FDA officials said

More Cantaloupes Recalled, Sold In Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois

Two Twin Cities fruit companies in Minnesota joined the growing list of national cantaloupe sellers who issued recalls for their products.

Little Canada-based Bix Produce and Cut Fruit Express issued recalls in the Minneapolis area. No illnesses or deaths have been linked to the brands, and all recalled products are well passed their expiration dates.

Cut Fruit Express on Nov. 30 recalled Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5oz, and Cut Fruit Express Brand of 6.5oz, 15oz, 16oz, 32oz packages of fruit mix containing cantaloupes, and packages of 5 lb tray, 10 lb bag, 25 lb Pail.

The Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix product was sold at Caribou stores at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport.

The remainder of the recalled "Fresh Cut Fruit Mix containing Cantaloupes" under Cut Fruit Express and food service packaging was distributed throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois via retail and food service delivery

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the Cut Fruit Express products, which shipped between October 24 and 26.

Bix Produce recalled Grab N’ Go containers of cut cantaloupe on Nov. 30. These cantaloupe products were derived from cantaloupes involved in the Malichita recall, the FDA said.

The affected Bix cantaloupe products were distributed from Oct. 19- 20, and sold in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin at convenience stores, delis, and business cafes. These products are beyond their usable shelf-life and are no longer expected to be in commerce.

To date, there have been no illnesses reported related to products distributed by Bix Produce.