Public Health Warns Of Cantaloupes Contaminated With Salmonella
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - The California Department of Public Health sent out a notice Thursday warning consumers of cantaloupes that may be contaminated with salmonella.
The salmonella contamination was identified during routine surveillance tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and to date, no illnesses have been associated with these cantaloupes. DFI Marketing, Inc. of Huron initiated a voluntary recall of 28,000 cartons of bulk cantaloupes after being informed of the Salmonella contamination.
The recalled cantaloupes were sold between Aug. 27 and Sept. 10 at retail locations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Mexico.
The cantaloupes were packed in cases of six, nine, 12, 15, and 18 melons under the DFI brand with, "826 California Westside" stamped on the carton. Individual cantaloupes are affixed with a small sticker that states "DFI, Huron, CA."
Consumers in possession of these recalled cantaloupes should discard them or return them to the store of purchase for a refund. Anyone handling the recalled cantaloupes should promptly wash their hands with soap and warm water to ensure they do not become exposed to any salmonella bacteria that may be present.
The cantaloupes being recalled by DFI Marketing are not related to prior recalls of cantaloupes by Chamberlain Farms in Indiana or Burch Equipment in North Carolina.
Symptoms of salmonella infection include fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea that may be bloody, the health department said. Most infected people recover within a week. Some may develop complications that require hospitalization. Infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for more severe illness.
Consumers who see the product still being offered for sale are asked to call the CDPH toll-free complaint line at (800) 495-3232.
