Fruit Recall Expands As Salmonella Cases Increase: See NY Impact

A massive cantaloupe recall expands to New York, 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 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.

New York has recorded two 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 is the local recall, according to the FDA.

TGD Cuts Cantaloupes Recalled: Sold Across East Coast

TGD Cuts voluntary recalled specific fresh-cut fruit cup, clamshell and tray products because they contain cantaloupe from TruFresh, which could be contaminated with Salmonella. Fresh, whole cantaloupes by TruFresh were recalled Nov. 28, leading TGD Cuts to issue its recall Tuesday.

“Cantaloupes recalled by TruFresh were used as a raw material in TGD Cuts, LLC fruit cup, clamshell and tray products,” the FDA said.

The recall includes products containing cantaloupe with use-by dates of Nov. 2-24. Products were distributed to retail and food service locations in Maryland, D.C., Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina and South Carolina. No other products are affected, and no illnesses have been reported associated with the TGD Cuts products.

Click here to see product labels.

Elsewhere

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. Click here to see item descriptions, PLU numbers and Lot Codes.

]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 Oct. 24-26.

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.

GHGA on Nov. 29 recalled certain fresh-cut products made from whole cantaloupe that were sold at major retailers in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. While all GHGA fresh-cut fruit products associated with the salmonella outbreak have expired, consumers may have frozen them for later. The recalled cantaloupe was sold at Kroger stores in Alabama and Georgia, Sprouts stores in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and Trader Joe’s retail stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The products were packaged in clear square or round plastic containers, marked with a “sell by” date and a lot code on the label.

As of Nov. 29, there were no illnesses reported related to GHGA fresh-cut products.