FDA Warns Consumers In 10 More States Not To Eat Cut Melon Due To Salmonella
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By: Debra Goldschmidt, CNN
(KDKA/CNN) -- Alabama, California, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Tennessee have been added to the list of states where cut melon may be contaminated with salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday. This brings the total number of states to 23.
Cut watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe as well as fruit salads containing these melons have been recalled from stores in these states, including Walmart, Kroger, Walgreens, Sprouts Farmers Market, Costco and Whole Foods/Amazon. The FDA has posted a full list of retailers and locations where it believes contaminated melon was sold.
There are four locations in western Pennsylvania:
- Shop N Save - Route 66 Greensburg, 990 North Main Street, Greensburg
- D'Onofrio's #274 - Hermitage, 1749 North Hermitage Road, Hermitage
- JK's County Market - Mt. Pleasant, 396 Countryside Plaza, Mt. Pleasant
- Shop N Save - Murrysville, 4536 William Penn Highway, Murrysville
Shop N Save released the following statement Friday:
"On June 8, 2018, Caito Foods, LLC recalled fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fresh-cut fruit medley products containing contaminated melon produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, as this product has been linked to a salmonella outbreak. We have reason to believe that products from two of our stores (Route 66 and Murrysville) are a part of this recall.
Effective immediately, we have pulled all products produced at the Caito Foods and have discontinued receiving this product. Customers who have purchased this product should throw it away immediately, and bring their receipt in-store for a full refund. We are fully committed to the health and safety of our customers, and will continue to work hard to provide only the highest quality products in our stores.
Thank you,
SHOP 'n SAVE Management"
Consumers who have purchased cut melon from these locations should throw it away. In addition, the agency has advised retailers not to serve or sell precut melon products distributed by Caito Foods Distribution, Gordon Food Service or SpartanNash Distribution.
The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working with state health officials to determine the source of the contamination.
According to the CDC, at least 60 people became ill in this outbreak from April 30 to May 28. Those illnesses were reported in five Midwestern states where the outbreak was initially announced.
Although the FDA has expanded the list of states warned about consumption of melon, the CDC has not updated the number of illnesses reported.
Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain that begins 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria. Most people recover in four to seven days.
According to the CDC, salmonella is to blame for 23,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths every year in the United States.
(TM and © Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CNN contributed to this report.)
