Category Archives: Salmonella Cantaloupes

USA -FDA – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

FDA

What’s New

  • A new outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1205) in a not yet identified food has been added to the table.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Sundsvall (ref #1203) linked to cantaloupe, the recall was expanded to include additional retailers and wholesalers who received the recalled melons. Additionally, the Oranienburg strain of Salmonella was added to this outbreak. See the Outbreak Advisory for additional information.
  • For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #989) linked to peaches, plums, and nectarines, the advisory was updated to include international distribution of the recalled fruit to Canada, Mexico, and Taiwan.
  • For the investigation of elevated lead levels in Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (ref # 1198) the advisory was updated to include additional adverse event reports and Investigation updates.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref# 1201) in a not yet identified food, the case count has increased from 42 to 43 cases.
  • For the outbreak of E. coli O121 (ref#1195) in a not yet identified food, an on-site inspection was initiated and sample collection and analysis was initiated.
  • For the outbreak of E. coli O103 (ref# 1192) in a not identified product, the investigation is complete and the outbreak has ended.

USA – 183 sick, 80 hospitalized with 3 deaths due to Salmonella – tainted Cantaloupe – Canada – Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak – 66 sick, 19 hospitalized with 1 death

Food Poison Journal

The updated number in the United States:

• Illnesses: 117

• Hospitalizations: 61

• Deaths: 2

• States: 34

In Canada the numbers have been just updated – on December 1, 2023 it was 66 sick, 19 hospitalized and 1 death.

USA – Pacific Trellis Fruit Recalls Malichita Brand Cantaloupes Due to Possible Health Risk – Salmonella – The company has issued a correction to the previous announcement.

FDA

Los Angeles, CA, December 1, 2023…Pacific Trellis Fruit, LLC is initiating a voluntary recall of 4,872 cases of Malichita brand whole cantaloupe. The voluntary recall is due to the FDAs ongoing investigation of an outbreak involving Malichita brand cantaloupe. The cantaloupes have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may experience fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), and abdominal pain. In rare cases the organism can get into the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The products were distributed between October 18th – 26th in California, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, and Canada and sold in various retail supermarkets. The whole cantaloupe is packed in corrugated cartons, the price look-up sticker is labeled “Malichita.”

Brand Item Description PLU Lot Code
Malichita Whole Cantaloupe 4050 21651
Malichita Whole Cantaloupe 4050 21699
Malichita Whole Cantaloupe 4050 21775
Malichita Whole Cantaloupe 4050 21787
Malichita Whole Cantaloupe 4050 21870

This is an ongoing outbreak, and several illnesses have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States and Canada. To date, Pacific Trellis Fruit has not received any reports of illness.

Customers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume the products and should dispose of them. Consumers may contact Pacific Trellis Fruit for further information at 323-859-9600 Monday – Friday 9AM – 5PM PST. Consumers with concerns about an illness from consumption of this product should contact a health care provider.

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Cantaloupes (November 2023) Updated 11/30/2023

FDA

Products and Stores Affected (Expanded and Updated on 11/30/2023)

Recalled whole cantaloupe from the following brands:

  • Whole fresh cantaloupes with a label on the cantaloupe that says “Malichita” or “Rudy”, “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”.
  • Retailers and wholesalers would have received recalled whole melons from Crown Jewels Produce in boxes labeled “Malichita/Z Farms” or from Sofia Produce doing business as TruFresh in boxes labeled “Malichita” or “Rudy”, or from Pacific Trellis in corrugated cartons with certain lot codes.

Recalled pre-cut cantaloupe and products containing pre-cut cantaloupes (these products are made from recalled whole cantaloupes):

  • ALDIExternal Link Disclaimer cantaloupe, cut cantaloupe, and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging with Best-by dates between October 27 and October 31 and sold in IL, IN, IA, KY, MI, and WI.
  • Vinyard cantaloupe chunks and cubes, fruit mixes, melon medleys, and fruit cups containing cantaloupe. Most have a “Vinyard” label, and some have a red label with “Fresh” sold between October 30 and November 10 in Oklahoma stores.
  • Freshness Guaranteed (sold at select WalmartExternal Link Disclaimer stores) seasonal blend, melon trio, melon mix, fruit blend, fruit bowl, seasonal fruit tray, fruit mix, and cantaloupe chunks; and RaceTrac fruit medley sold in clear square or round plastic containers. Recalled products were sold at select retail stores in IN, MI, OH, KY, NC, TN, VA, IL, TX, and LA (see recall announcement for lot codes and “best by” dates).
  • KwikTrip 6-oz mixed fruit cup, 6-oz cantaloupe cup, and 16-oz fruit tray distributed to Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Stop-N-Go, Tobacco Outlet Plus Grocery, and Tobacco Outlet Plus convenience stores in WI, MN, IA, MI, IL, and SD.
  • Bix ProduceExternal Link Disclaimer 5.75-oz Created Fresh! cantaloupe Grab N’ Go fruit cups, Created Fresh! Grab N’ Go mixed fruit cups, and Jack & Olive mixed fruit cups sold in MN, ND, SD, and WI.
  • GHGA pre-cut products containing cantaloupe branded as Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joes, and unbranded products sold at Kroger. Recalled products were distributed to Kroger stores in AL and GA, Sprout’s Farmers Market stores in AL, GA, NC, and SC, and Trader Joe’s stores in AL, FL, GA, SC, and TN (see recall for lot codes and “sell-by” dates).

FDA has compiled a list of recalls being conducted by companies that received and used recalled melons to make pre-cut cantaloupe or products containing pre-cut cantaloupes. This list will be updated as the agency receives notifications of new recalls.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing. Updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

Symptoms of Salmonella Infection

Illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and usually lasts four to seven days. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.

Status

Ongoing: updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

Recommendation

  • Consumers, restaurants, retailers, and wholesalers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled cantaloupe or recalled products containing cantaloupe.
  • Some consumers freeze cantaloupe for later use. Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should check their freezers and throw away recalled fresh or cut cantaloupe that was frozen for later use.
  • If you cannot tell if your cantaloupe, including pre-cut cantaloupe or products containing pre-cut cantaloupe is part of the recall, do not eat or use it and throw it away.
  • Retailers and wholesalers would have received recalled whole melons from Crown Jewels Produce in boxes labeled “Malichita/Z Farms” or from Sofia Produce doing business as TruFresh in boxes labeled “Malichita” or “Rudy”, or from Pacific Trellis in corrugated cartons with certain lot codes.
  • Anyone who purchased or received recalled cantaloupes should follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice and use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with recalled products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
    • Pre-cut fruit manufacturers should ensure proper cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and evaluate the need to recall additional product due to the potential for cross-contamination in the processing facility.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a Salmonella infection after eating recalled cantaloupe.

Canada – Mixed Melon Chunks recalled due to Salmonella

CFIA

None- Mixed Melon Chunks - 199 g - Top

Product
Mixed Melon Chunks
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Salmonella
What to do

Do not consume, use, sell, serve or distribute recalled products

Distribution
Manitoba

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.

What you should do

  • If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider
  • Check to see if you have recalled products
  • Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products
  • Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased

USA – GHGA, LLC, in Coordination with Sofia Produce, LLC DBA Trufresh, Voluntarily Recalls Select Fresh-Cut Fruit Products Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

FDA

Cantaloupe Chunks, 9 oz.

CONLEY, GA – November 29, 2023 – GHGA, LLC is voluntarily recalling select fresh-cut products made from whole cantaloupe subject to a previously announced product recall initiated by Sofia Produce, LLC dba Trufresh, due to potential Salmonella contamination.

All GHGA fresh-cut fruit products associated with the recalled whole cantaloupe associated with the outbreak have expired, however consumers who have purchased these items and may have frozen them for later use are urged not to consume the products and to dispose of them immediately or return the items to their local store for a full refund.

As of November 29, there have been no illnesses reported related to GHGA fresh-cut products. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the whole cantaloupe recalled by Sofia Produce, LLC dba Trufresh, however, as of November 29, no illnesses have been confirmed to be associated with GHGA products.

The fresh-cut fruit products containing recalled cantaloupe were distributed to 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 are packaged in clear square or round plastic containers, marked with a “sell by” date and a lot code on the label.

Voluntarily recalled items include the specific products, lot codes, and expiration dates below. No other products are affected.

Products Table – (PDF-194KB)

Consumers who have questions or would like to report adverse reactions should contact customer service at 888.449.9386 Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM PT.

FDA Outbreak Advisory

USA – Bix Produce Issues Safety Alert on Cut Cantaloupe Products Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

FDA

Image 1: “Photograph of label of Cantaloupe Fruit Cup, 5.75 oz.”

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
FDA Publish Date:
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Fruit/Fruit Product
Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement:
Potential for Salmonella contamination
Company Name:
Bix Produce
Brand Name:
Multiple brands
Product Description:
Fruit Cups containing cantaloupe

Bix Produce of Little Canada, MN., is issuing a voluntary recall of Grab N’ Go containers of cut cantaloupe and mixed fruit cups due to the potential for Salmonella contamination in the products. These cantaloupe products were derived from cantaloupes that are involved in the recent Malachita cantaloupe recall.

  • Consumers, restaurants, retailers, and wholesalers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled cantaloupe or recalled products containing cantaloupe.
  • Consumers who may have frozen cantaloupe or cantaloupe products for later use should check their freezers and throw away any recalled products.
  • If you cannot tell if your cantaloupe is part of the recall, do not eat or use it. Throw it away.

The affected cantaloupe products were distributed from October 19th through October 20th, 2023, and were sold in the states of 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.

Brand

Item Description

Item Number

Pack/Size

Lot Code

Created Fresh! CANTALOUPE FRUIT CUP GRAB N’ GO 19703 5.75 OZ EACH SELL BY DATES OF
10/25/2023 AND 10/26/2023
Created Fresh! MIXED FRUIT CUP GRAB N’ GO 19721 5.75 OZ EACH SELL BY DATES OF
10/25/2023 AND 10/26/2023
Jack & Olive MIXED FRUIT CUP J&O 23355 5.75 OZ EACH SELL BY DATES OF
10/25/2023 AND 10/26/2023

To date, there have been no illnesses reported related to products distributed by Bix Produce. No other products distributed by Bix Produce are being recalled. Bix Produce is working collaboratively with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on this recall.

The recall was initiated after a supplier notified Bix Produce that they had delivered recalled Malachita cantaloupes to Bix Produce and that those had been processed and distributed by Bix Produce.

Bix Produce takes the safety and integrity of the products it distributes seriously and regrets any inconvenience and concern this recall may cause.

Customers who have any questions about the recall may call: 651-487-8000

USA- FDA – Core Outbreak Table -Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

FDA

What’s New

  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref # 1201), the case count has increased from 40 cases to 42 cases.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Sundsvall (ref #1203) linked to cantaloupe, the recall was expanded to include additional retailers and wholesalers who received the recalled melons. See the Outbreak Advisory for additional information. 
  • For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #989) linked to peaches, plums, and nectarines, the advisory was updated to include additional retailers impacted by this outbreak.
  • For the investigation of elevated lead levels in Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (ref # 1198) the advisory was updated to include additional adverse event reports and advice for consumers.

Date
Posted

Ref

Pathogen
or
Cause of
Illness

Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses

(if any)

Total
Case
Count


Status

11/22/

2023

1201

Salmonella
Newport

Not Yet
Identified

42

Active

11/22/

2023

1203

Salmonella
Sundsvall

Cantaloupe

Advisory

Active

11/15/

2023

989

Listeria
monocytogenes

Peaches, Plums,
and Nectarines

Advisory

Active

11/15/

2023

1192

E. coli
0103

Not Yet
Identified

12

Active

11/8/

2023

1198

Elevated Lead
Levels

Apple
Cinnamon
Puree

Advisory

Active

11/1/

2023

1195

E. coli
O121:H19

Not Yet
Identified

37

Active

10/4/

2023

1190

Salmonella
Thompson

Onions

Advisory

Active

USA – Salmonella serotypes Soahanina, Sundsvall and Oranienburg linked to Cantaloupe Outbreak – number of ill expected to rise

Food Poison Journal

Additional Salmonella Soahanina, Sundsvall and Oranienburg infections are under investigation and more illnesses associated with this outbreak may be confirmed.

USA – Kwik Trip, Inc. Recalls Specific Fruit Cups and Trays Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

FDA

Image 1 “Photograph of Mixed Fruit label, 6 oz.”

Image 2 “Photograph of Cantaloupe label, 6 oz.”

Image 3 “Photograph of Fruit Tray label, 16 oz.”

November 27, 2023 – Kwik Trip, Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall of three varieties of fresh-cut fruit cup and tray products listed below because they contain cantaloupe from TruFresh which has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Due to the now expanded recall of fresh, whole cantaloupes by TruFresh, Kwik Trip, Inc. is issuing this recall. Cantaloupes recalled by TruFresh were used as a raw material in Kwik Trip, Inc. fruit cup and tray products listed below.

This recall includes the following fresh-cut fruit cup and tray products containing cantaloupe with sell-by dates of November 4, 2023, through December 3, 2023. Products were distributed to Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Stop-N-Go, Tobacco Outlet Plus Grocery, and Tobacco Outlet Plus convenience stores in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, and South Dakota.

Product Description Container Size UPC Sell By Date Range
MIXED FRUIT CUP 6OZ 39779 00240 11/4/2023 – 12/3/2023
CANTALOUPE CUP 6OZ 39779 00213 11/4/2023 – 12/3/2023
FRUIT TRAY 16OZ 39779 00248 11/4/2023 – 12/3/2023

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the fruit cup and tray products listed above to date.

  • Consumers, restaurants, retailers, and wholesalers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled cantaloupe or recalled products containing cantaloupe.
  • Some consumers freeze cantaloupe for later use. Consumers should check their freezers and throw away recalled fresh or cut cantaloupe that was frozen for later use.
  • If you cannot tell if your cantaloupe is part of the recall, do not eat or use it and throw it away.

Kwik Trip, Inc. takes the safety and integrity of the products it sells seriously. If customers have product affected by this voluntary recall, they should discard it immediately or return it to their local store for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 608-781-8988.