Category Archives: Salmonella Cantaloupes

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Cantaloupes (November 2023)

FDA

Cantaloupe

Products and Stores Affected (Expanded and Updated on 11/27/2023)

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 “Malachita/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 cut cantaloupe and products 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.
  • 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 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 at select retail stores in IN, MI, OH, KY, NC, TN, VA, IL, TX, LA (see recall announcement for lot codes and “best by” dates).

More information about recalled products and product images can be found in the recall links above.

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 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 “Malachita/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.
  • 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.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a Salmonella infection after eating recalled cantaloupe.

Canada – Malichita brand and Rudy brand Cantaloupes recalled due to Salmonella

CFIA

Malichita - Cantaloupe

Rudy - Cantaloupes - Sticker

Product

Cantaloupes

Issue

Food – Microbial Contamination – Salmonella

What to do

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

Distribution

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador

Nova Scotia

Ontario

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Possibly other provinces and territories

Similar recalls or alerts

USA -Pacific Trellis Fruit Recalls Malichita Brand Cantaloupes Due to Possible Health Risk – Salmonella

FDA

Company Announcement

Pacific Trellis Fruit, LLC dba Dulcinea 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 SalmonellaSalmonella 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, and Wisconsin, 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.


Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Evangelina Kaudze
 (323) 859-9600

USA – Sofia Produce, LLC DBA Trufresh Expands Recall to Include all “Malichita” Brand and “Rudy” Brand Fresh Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk Due to Salmonella

FDA

Rudy PLU 4050

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
FDA Publish Date:
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:
Potential Foodborne Illness, Salmonella
Company Name:
SOFIA PRODUCE, LLC dba Trufresh
Brand Name:
Malichita, Rudy
Product Description:
Cantaloupes

Company Announcement

For Immediate Release, November 22, 2023 SOFIA PRODUCE, LLC, of Nogales, Arizona which does business under the name “Trufresh” (“Trufresh”) has expanded its recall of all sizes of fresh cantaloupes packaged in cardboard containers labeled with the “Malichita” label, and also labeled with the “Rudy” label to include all cantaloupes sold between the dates of October 10, 2023 and November 3, 2023, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The cantaloupes were distributed directly to the following States in the United States: Arizona, California. Connecticut, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida and Canada. The cantaloupes would have reached consumers through retail produce markets which may be located in states other than those listed above.

Trufresh has been advised that there are 97 illnesses reported to date that have been associated with this strain of Salmonella.

USA – FDA- Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

FDA

What’s New

  • The outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #989) has been linked to peaches, plums, and nectarines. FDA issued an advisory on this outbreak. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
  • A new outbreak of Salmonella Sundsvall (ref #1203) linked to cantaloupe has been added to the table. FDA issued an advisory on this outbreak. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
  • A new outbreak of Salmonella Newport in a not yet identified food had been added to the table. FDA has initiated a traceback investigation. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
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
40 Active
11/22/

2023

1203 Salmonella
Sundsvall
Cantaloupe See

Advisory

Active
11/15/

2023

989 Listeria
monocytogenes
Peaches, Plums,
and Nectarines
See

Advisory

Active
11/15/

2023

1192 E. coli
0103
Not Yet
Identified
12 Active
11/8/

2023

1198 Elevated Lead
Levels
Apple
Cinnamon
Puree
See

Advisory

Active
11/1/

2023

1195 E. coli
O121:H19
Not Yet
Identified
37 Active
10/4/

2023

1190 Salmonella
Thompson
Onions See

Advisory

Active

USA- CDC – Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes

CDC

Cantaloupe on a white background.

Fast Facts
  • Illnesses: 43
  • Hospitalizations: 17
  • Deaths: 0
  • States: 15
  • Recall: Yes
  • Investigation status: Active   (first posted on November 17, 2023)
Recalled Food

Whole cantaloupes

  • Might have a sticker that says “Malichita”, “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”
  • See recall notice and expanded recall for more details

Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupes

  • Includes cantaloupe cubes, melon medleys, and fruit medleys
  • Sold in Oklahoma stores between October 30 and November 10, 2023
  • Most have a yellow label with “Vinyard,” and some have a red label with “Fresh”
  • See recall notice for product photos and more details

ALDI whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products

  • Includes whole cantaloupes, cantaloupe chunks in clamshell packaging, and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging
  • Best-by dates between October 27 and October 31, 2023
  • Sold in ALDI stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin
  • See recall notice [PDF – 2 pages] for more details

Investigators are working to identify any additional cantaloupe products that may be contaminated.

Canada – Fruit Salad recalled due to Salmonella

CFIA

Summary

Product
Fruit Salad
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Salmonella
What to do

Do not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected products.

Audience
Hotels, restaurants and institutions
Distribution
British Columbia

Fruit Salad recalled due to Salmonella.

Canada – Fresh Start Foods brand Cantaloupe recalled due to Salmonella

CFIA

Summary

Product
Cantaloupe
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Salmonella
What to do

Do not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected product.

Audience
Hotels, restaurants and institutions
Distribution
Alberta
British Columbia

Fresh Start Foods brand Cantaloupe recalled due to Salmonella.

Salmonella tainted Cantaloupe sickens over 50 in the United States and Canada

Food Poison Journal

As of November 17, 43 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 15 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 17, 2023, to November 6, 2023. Of 30 people with information available, 17 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.

Canada is also investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes. The strain causing the outbreak in Canada is the same as the US outbreak strain. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency found Salmonella in a sample of Malichita brand cantaloupe, and WGS showed that the Salmonella on the cantaloupe is closely related genetically to the bacteria from sick people in Canada. This suggests that people in the Canadian and US outbreaks likely got sick from eating cantaloupe.

On November 1, 2023, Malichita brand cantaloupes were recalled in Canada.

On November 8, Trufresh recalled Malichita brand whole cantaloupes that were sold to US businesses between October 16 and October 23. On November 15, Trufresh expanded their recall to include additional whole cantaloupes.

Additional products containing Malichita brand cantaloupes were also recalled. On November 14, Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company recalled pre-cut fruit products and ALDI recalled [PDF – 2 pages] its whole cantaloupe, cantaloupe chunks, and pineapple spears.

CDC is advising people not to eat, sell, or serve recalled fruit.

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Cantaloupes (November 2023)

FDA

Product and Stores Affected

Recalled cantaloupe from three brands:

More information about recalled products and product images can be found in the recall links above.

  • Whole fresh cantaloupes with a label that says “Malichita”, “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique” sold between October 16 and October 23.
  • ALDIExternal Link Disclaimer cantaloupe, cut cantaloupe, and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging with Best-by dates between October 27 and October 31.
  • 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.
  • Recalled cantaloupe was sold at retail stores in Arizona, California, Maryland, New Jersey, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida and Canada. This list may not include all states as the cantaloupes could have reached consumers through further retail distribution.

More information about recalled products and product images can be found in the recall links above.

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, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled cantaloupe and 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 is part of the recall, do not eat or use it and throw it away.
  • 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 these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a Salmonella infection after eating recalled cantaloupe.