Alert: Salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut melons

After 60 known cases of the Salmonella infection in the US, packages of pre-cut melons are being taken off the shelves of grocery stores in eight states.

The FDA reported that multiple US states are currently impacted by an outbreak of Salmonella disease, with 60 known cases across Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indianapolis and Missouri.

32 of these cases were found in Michigan alone. The disease seems to have affected people of all age groups, ranging from less than a year to 97 years, 65% of them being women.

According to FDA, no deaths have been reported, however, 31 of the affected people have been hospitalized due to their condition.

The outbreak has been traced back by the FDA to packages of pre-cut melons originating from one Indianapolis distributor – Caito foods. The unsafe products were shipped between April 17 and June 7

As a precautionary measure, pre-cut watermelons, honeydew melons, cantaloupe and mixed fruit have been recalled from grocery stores in Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina.

The CDC has confirmed that these recalled products were distributed for sale in transparent plastic clamshell containers.

This distribution occurred in major stores like Payless, Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Owen’s, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, Walgreens, Amazon/Whole Foods and Walmart.

Authorities are still investigated to trace if any other stores were affected. The CDC stated that most of the sickened people had eaten one of the now recalled products from the major grocery stores.

The CDC has issued an advisory to the public to return or throw away any pre-cut fruits purchased from the listed stores.

It has also been advised to discard any pre-cut fruits purchased and stored at home if the consumer does not recall store from which it was purchased.

According to the FDA, Salmonella can result in the development of other severe infections in the body, which can also turn out to be fatal.

People with possibly weak immune systems including children, ill people or the elderly, need to be extra careful. The common symptoms of Salmonella include diarrhea, fever, vomiting, stomach pain, and nausea.

A rare progression of the infection is when the organism enters the bloodstream of the affected person, which could create more serious problems like arterial infection, arthritis, and endocarditis.

Read more about the Salmonella outbreak on our Twitter account @amomama_usa.