ARKANSAS, USA — The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated a food safety alert on Dec. 15, now reporting that at least two people in Arkansas have contracted salmonella after an outbreak related to pre-cut cantaloupes.
On Nov. 17, U.S. health officials warned consumers about the outbreak. At that time, 43 people across 15 states had reported getting sick from eating pre-cut cantaloupe from brands such as Malichita and Rudy, sold ALDI and KwikTrip stores, among others.
In the Dec. 15 report, there were 302 total illnesses in 42 states, with 129 hospitalizations and four deaths linked to the outbreak.
"[The] CDC is concerned about this outbreak because the illnesses are severe and people in long-term care facilities and childcare centers have gotten sick," the federal agency said in their report.
Danyelle McNeill, the public information officer for the Arkansas Department of Health, told 5NEWS that of the two reported Arkansas cases, one case involved travel to a neighboring state and the other case was in Northwest Arkansas.
"The first case has recovered and the other's status is unknown," McNeill said.
List of recalled food
The affected stores range from Trader Joe's and ALDI to select gas stations that sell what appear to be unbranded pre-cut fruit.
According to the CDC's map of affected states, there isn't a concentrated part of the country with more illnesses than others, with California having eight people sick and New York with seven. The state with the most reported cases of salmonella from the Nov. 17 recall is Minnesota, with 20.
On Nov. 28, over a week after the cantaloupe recall, ALDI announced a recall of select peaches, nectarines, and plums due to a potential listeria contamination.
Malichita and Rudy brand whole cantaloupes
- May have a sticker that says "Malichita"
- May have a sticker that says "Rudy"
- The sticker may have the number "4050"
- “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique"
For more details, read the Trufresh recall, Crown Jewels recall, or the Pacific Trellis recall.
Pre-cut fruit products made with recalled whole cantaloupes
- Kwik Trip cantaloupe cups, mixed fruit cups, and fruit tray with sell-by dates from Nov. 4 through Dec. 3
- TGD Cuts cantaloupe chunks, mixed fruits, and fruit trays with use-by dates from Nov. 2 through Nov. 24
- Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac cantaloupe chunks, seasonal blend, melon mixes, and fruit mixes with best-by dates from Nov. 7 through Nov. 12
- Vinyard cantaloupe cubes, melon medleys, and fruit medleys sold in Oklahoma stores from Oct. 30 through Nov. 10
- Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Trader Joe’s cantaloupe chunks, mixed melons, fruit medleys, and fruit trays with best-by dates from Oct. 28 through Nov. 8
- Cut Fruit Express cantaloupe chunks, melon mixes, and fruit mixes with use-by dates from Nov. 4 through Nov. 6
- ALDI whole cantaloupes, cantaloupe chunks, and pineapple spears with best-by dates from Oct. 27 through Oct. 31
- Bix Produce cantaloupe fruit cups and mixed fruit cups with sell-by dates of Oct. 25 and Oct. 26
All cantaloupe recalls are listed on the FDA’s cantaloupe recall website.
While the numbers may seem small, officials warn the outbreak is likely higher than reported numbers and may include more states.
Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps within six hours to six days after consuming food contaminated with the bacteria. Illnesses typically last four to seven days. Vulnerable people, including children, people older than 65, and those with weakened immune systems may develop severe illnesses that require medical care or hospitalization.
If you think you've purchased or eaten recalled products, the CDC says to call your healthcare provider immediately, especially if you have the following symptoms:
- Signs of dehydration (not peeing much, dry mouth, feeling dizzy when standing up)
- High fever and diarrhea
- Diarrhea for longer than three days
- Vomiting to the point you can't keep liquids down
Throw away and don't eat the recalled cantaloupes or fruit products. Clean items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled fruit using very hot soapy water.