More Deaths Linked to Salmonella in Cantaloupe

More deaths have been linked to Salmonella found in cut cantaloupe, up from two people in the past two weeks. The most recent deaths bring the current total up to eight victims. So far in the U.S., 230 people across 38 states have been infected, 96 have required hospitalization, and three have died. In Canada, there have been 129 confirmed cases of Salmonella from six provinces, with 44 hospitalizations and five deaths so far.

Health officials say a salmonella outbreak from tainted cantaloupe caused the increased deaths in both the United States and Canada. Those who fell ill reported eating pre-cut cantaloupe in clamshell packages and trays sold in stores. The CDC said consumers should only buy, consume, or serve cantaloupe if they know the source.

New recalls of whole and pre-cut fruit have been added to a growing list of products the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said to avoid. Last week, Cut Fruit Express initiated a recall of cantaloupe chunks and fruit mixes containing cantaloupe. On Tuesday, TGD Cuts, LLC launched a recall of specific fresh fruit cups, clamshells, and tray products, including cantaloupe from TruFresh.

CDC officials said the cause of the outbreak still appears to lie in the distribution of whole or pre-cut cantaloupes used in now-recalled products from the Malichita or Rudy brands sold through stores like Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, and Kwik Trip. The CDC said, “The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses.”

On Nov. 28, retailers and brands, including Trufresh, Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company, CF Dallas, ALDI, Crown Jewels Produce, and Pacific Trellis Fruit, started issuing recalls for whole and pre-cut cantaloupes. Also affected were the Freshness Guaranteed brand and RaceTrac brand pre-cut fruit.

“Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupes if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used,” the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said via CNN. “This includes cantaloupe chunks and fruit mixes with cantaloupes at restaurants and grocery stores.”

The CDC stresses that consumers also check any whole cantaloupes they have at home and do not have the Malichita or Rudy brand label. If these items are in the home, they ask that the fruit be thrown away and any surfaces it may have touched be washed with hot, soapy water.

The CDC reports that many people recover from Salmonella without medical care. However, if sick, patients may not get tested if they fall ill. It usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of a particular outbreak.