FDA Investigating Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide Infections Linked to Pre-Cut Melons

• Update
• Fast Facts
• What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?
• Timeline
• Recalled Products from Caito Foods, LLC
• What are the Symptoms of Salmonella Infection?
• Who is at Risk?
• What Do Restaurants and Retailers Need To Do?
• What Do Consumers Need To Do?
• Who Should be Contacted?
• Additional Information

Fast Facts

• The FDA, CDC, along with state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of SalmonellaAdelaide infections. CDC reports that fruit salad mixes that include pre-cut melons are a likely source of this outbreak.
• FDA advises consumers not to eat recalled fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fresh-cut fruit medley products containing any of these melons. Products have been distributed in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers under several different brands or labels and distributed to Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Payless, Owen’s, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Walmart, Whole Foods/Amazon. Other retail locations may be added to the list.
• Caito Foods, LLC has voluntarily recalled  fruit salad mixes that contain pre-cut melons to prevent further distribution of potentially contaminated products.
• The CDC reports that 60 people in five Midwestern states have become ill. Among 47 people with information available, thirty-one cases (66%) have been hospitalized.
• The 60 illnesses occurred within the period of April 30, 2018 to May 28, 2018.
• The FDA is working with CDC, along with state partners , to trace back the pre-cut melons to identify the source to determine the full distribution of pre-cut melons, and to learn more about the potential route of contamination.
• As this is an ongoing investigation, the FDA will update this page as more information becomes available, such as product information, epidemiological results, and recalls.
• Additional distribution information has been added that identifies retail locations organized by state that received potentially contaminated product. The FDA is advising consumers to discard any recalled products purchased at the listed locations. The FDA is sharing this information with consumers as soon as possible and additional distribution information may be added as it becomes available. It is possible that some stores may be mentioned more than once because they received more than one shipment or more than one product. Consumers may wish to ask a firm directly if the recalled product was available for sale.
• Consumers who have symptoms of Salmonella infection should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Most infections usually lasts 4 to 7 days and most people recover without treatment, however some people develop diarrhea so severe that they need to be hospitalized.

What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?

The FDA, CDC, along with state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide infections. Epidemiologic and preliminary traceback evidence indicates that pre-cut melon distributed by Caito Foods, LLC is a likely source of this outbreak. Caito Foods, LLC has voluntarily recalled  their products, to prevent further distribution of potentially contaminated products. The recalled products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers and distributed to Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The FDA is currently working with state partners to trace back the pre-cut melons to identify the source of the pathogen, to determine the full distribution of the pre-cut melons, and to learn more about how the contamination occurred.

Timeline

On June 8, 2018, Caito Foods, LLC voluntarily recalled  fruit salad mixes that contain pre-cut melons to prevent further distribution of potentially contaminated products.

Recalled Products from Caito Foods, LLC

What are the Symptoms of Salmonella Infections?

Who is at Risk?

What Do Restaurants and Retailers Need To Do?

• Wash and sanitize display cases and refrigerators regularly.
• Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to prepare, serve, or store food.
• Wash hands with hot water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
• Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.  

What Do Consumers Need To Do?

Who Should be Contacted?

Additional Information

• Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide Infections
• FoodSafety.gov on Salmonella
• CDC Salmonella