Pre-Cut Melons Linked To Salmonella Outbreak: CDC

Pre-cut melons sold at major grocery stores like Whole Foods and Kroger have been recalled because of a possible salmonella contamination that federal health officials say has sickened more than 90 people in nine states.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the multi-state salmonella outbreak has led to 23 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported.

The illnesses started on dates ranging between March 4-31. The CDC's investigation began on April 4 and the agency has determined that the pre-cut melons sold by Caito Foods LLC, an Indianapolis-based company, is the likely source of the outbreak.

Caito Foods recalled the pre-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and pre-cut fruit medley products containing one of these melons on April 12. The CDC said 77 percent of ill people the agency interviewed said they ate pre-cut melons.

The products were reportedly sold at retailers including Target, Walmart, Amazon/Whole Foods, Kroger and Trader Joe's. The fruit was sold under brand names including Garden Highway, Freshness Guaranteed and the Whole Foods Market label.

The products were distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Illnesses have been reported in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Alabama.

The CDC said consumers should not eat the recalled products and if they are unable to determine whether the products were produced by Caito Foods LLC, the CDC says to throw away the products.

According to the CDC, symptoms of a salmonella infection include:

• Diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 12 to 72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria.
• The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
• In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. The infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other places in the body.
• Children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65 years, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

>>>You can find a full list of the recalled products via the FDA here.