OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
10:17 AM – Monday, December 4, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have warned shoppers to stay away from pre-cut cantaloupe sold at a number stores since some store bought fruit has been linked to a salmonella outbreak.
Health experts have advised shoppers to keep their distance from cantaloupe sold at particular stores after 18 new illnesses linked to the fruit have been reported amidst a continuing salmonella outbreak.
Almost 117 people in 34 states in the United States have fallen ill by contaminated cantaloupe, including 61 who were rushed to the hospital and two who have since passed away, according to the CDC.
The illnesses reported from cantaloupe contamination are extremely severe, with over half of the sickened people hospitalized, including occupants of long-term care centers and children in daycare. CDC officials have now cautioned consumers to be vigilant due to the extent of the recalls and possible uncertainty regarding the cantaloupes’ origin.
“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,” the FDA said in a statement.
On Thursday, the CDC advised consumers that the recall includes pre-cut cantaloupe sold at well-known grocery stores like Kroger, Trader Joe’s, and Sprouts Farmers Market.
The agency additionally advised that consumers stay away from whole cantaloupes along with pre-cut cantaloupes, specifically sold from brands Malichita and Rudy. The CDC warned not to eat the cantaloupe if the origin of the fruit is unknown.
“CDC is concerned about this outbreak because the illnesses are severe,” the agency said in a food safety alert. “Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupes if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used. … This includes cantaloupe chunks and fruit mixes with cantaloupes at restaurants and grocery stores.”
They are also encouraging companies not to sell contaminated cantaloupe and to wash and sanitize any objects that come into contact with it.
The CDC announced that it will continue to examine the outbreak and work on identifying any other cantaloupe or cut fruit products that may have be infected.
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