Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes - Update Dec 15th

United States

Update January 19, 2024

As of January 19, 2024, the CDC announced that this outbreak is over, To this date, 407 people infected with one of the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 44 states. 158 people have been hospitalized and 6 deaths have been reported. Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 15, 2023, to December 25, 2023. Recalled cantaloupes are no longer available for sale and the use-by dates have passed.

Canada also investigated this Salmonella outbreak and linked the illnesses to cantaloupes. The strain that caused illnesses in Canada was the same strain as the U.S. illnesses.

Source: CDC

December 15, 2023

The CDC published an update on the multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to cantaloupes. As of December 14th, 302 people infected with one of the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 42 states. 129 people have been hospitalized and 3 deaths have been reported (2 from Minnesota and 1 from Oregon). Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 16, 2023, to November 20, 2023.

The products linked to this outbreak are:
- Malichita and Rudy brand whole cantaloupes. Might have a sticker that says “Malichita” or “Rudy,” with the number “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”.

Pre-cut fruit products made with recalled whole cantaloupes:
- Kwik Trip cantaloupe cups, mixed fruit cups, and fruit tray with sell-by dates from November 4 through December 3.
- TGD Cuts cantaloupe chunks, mixed fruits, and fruit trays with use-by dates from November 2 through November 24.
- Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac cantaloupe chunks, seasonal blend, melon mixes, and fruit mixes with best-by dates from November 7 through November 12.
- Vinyard cantaloupe cubes, melon medleys, and fruit medleys sold in Oklahoma stores from October 30 through November 10.
- Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Trader Joe’s cantaloupe chunks, mixed melons, fruit medleys, and fruit trays with best-by dates from October 28 through November 8.
- Cut Fruit Express cantaloupe chunks, melon mixes, and fruit mixes with use-by dates from November 4 through November 6.
- ALDI whole cantaloupes, cantaloupe chunks, and pineapple spears with best-by dates from October 27 through October 31.
- Bix Produce cantaloupe fruit cups and mixed fruit cups with sell-by dates of October 25 and October 26.

Since the last update, one additional recall for cantaloupes has been issued. Stop & Shop Recalled Trufresh Cantaloupe PLU – 4050 at 183 Store Locations, purchased from October 23 through November 11.

CDC is advising people not to eat, sell, or serve recalled fruit. Additionally, 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. Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupes if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used.

In case you are experiencing Salmonella symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: www.cdc.gov/salmonella/sundsvall-11-23/index.html