Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls,Salmonella on May 13, 2026
Ayco Farms cantaloupe has been linked to a Salmonella Newport outbreak identified in February. In April, the Make Food Safe Blog initially reported on the unknown food source outbreak because the case count continued to rise. Despite the ongoing investigation, the source of the outbreak was only announced this week.
After the outbreak has closed.
No press release has been issued for the associated Ayco Farms Cantaloupes.
Here’s what we know about the situation so far!
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a Salmonella Newport outbreak on February 25, 2026. Initially, the outbreak report included just over 50 people. When it finally closed, a total of 70 people across 25 states were connected to the outbreak. Sick with the same strain of Salmonella Newport bacteria.
The number of outbreak patients who were hospitalized was not available to the public.
According to the FDA, traceback investigation identified imported cantaloupe from Guatemala supplied by Ayco Farms Inc. of Pompano Beach Florida was the food vehicle in this outbreak.
Epidemiological information collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked illnesses with the same strain of Salmonella Newport in this outbreak. But the FDA’s traceback investigation linked Ayco Farms cantaloupe as the food responsible for it.
Ayco Farms was the common supplier in outbreak cases.
Following this discovery, FDA worked with Ayco Farms to determine if any product was still available to the public.
Despite products likely being past shelf life and no longer available for sale, Ayco Farms issued a voluntary recall to ensure that downstream customers would not receive the potentially contaminated product.
Do you remember seeing a cantaloupe recall?
Neither did I. Which is strange, because as a writer for the Make Food Safe Blog, I pay attention to those press releases.
There was no press release for this recall.
The recall did, however, take place on March 24, 2026. Despite cases being added to the Active Foodborne Outbreak Investigation table as late as mid-April.
On March 24, 2026, Ayco Farms issued a voluntary recall for “Fresh Cantaloupe (Whole, Fresh), brand name Ayco, wrapped in food safe plastic bags packed in corrugated cardboard cartons; 6-12 melons per box; individual carton count per label” due to “potential Salmonella contamination.”
A total of 8,302 cartons were subject to recall.
Lot numbers include:
Affected product was distributed to the states of California, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania.
In response to the outbreak investigation connecting Salmonella Newport illnesses to Ayco Farms Cantaloupe imported from Guatemala, an Import Alert was issued for the importing firm.
FDA placed an Import Alert 99-35 on Ayco San Jorge Y Campania Limitada and Agrobassy Y Cia Ltda. This import alert subjects the cantaloupes coming from these firms to “automatic detention without physical examination.”
Until these firms “have demonstrated that they have overcome the violations that resulted in this action,” no product from them can enter U.S. commerce.
Salmonella is a serious germ, causing potentially life-threatening illness.
Salmonella is a microscopic germ responsible for salmonellosis illness.
The CDC estimates that Salmonella bacteria are responsible for around 1.35 million infections in the United States each year. Of those, around 26,500 people experience illnesses severe enough to require hospitalization. About 420 of those patients die from infection.
Food is the most common source of these salmonellosis illnesses. Cantaloupe, for example, has been connected to several Salmonella outbreaks.
Only specialized tests can accurately diagnose a Salmonella illness. If you experience symptoms consistent with this infection, report your illness or seek medical attention right away.
Common symptoms include:
Most people experience symptoms in as little as six hours and up to six days after exposure. In some cases, illness onset could be much longer.
Severity and length of illness often vary from person to person. Most people experience mild illnesses that pass quickly. Others may experience severe illness lasting weeks or even months after initial symptoms.
Most people, however, feel better within a week (four to seven days).
Certain groups of people have conditions or susceptibilities that make them more likely to become sick if exposed, and experience more severe symptoms if infected.
Those more vulnerable to Salmonella infection include:
Those more likely to experience sever symptoms include:
While most people do not need medical intervention and are not prescribed antibiotic treatment, those in the higher risk group are more likely to receive treatment.
In some cases, complications may arise from infection.
Most of the time Salmonella bacteria are limited to the intestinal tract. However, in some cases, the bacteria can breach the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream capillaries and veins found there. When this happens, bacteria may infect the urinary tract, blood, bones, joints, and even the nervous system.
Common Salmonella complications include reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and bacteremia that can affect other parts of the body.
Reactive arthritis, a condition affecting the collagen in the joints, eyes, and urethra, is a common complication. This type of infection causes joint pain, irritation of the eyes, and pain during urination. Reactive arthritis symptoms may last for months or even years in some people.
Irritable bowel syndrome is another common complication of Salmonella illness. In some cases, it can take quite some time before bowel habits return to normal.
Bacteremia associated with Salmonella infections can affect many different tissues in the body. Resulting in a variety of infections.
Potential bacteremia infections include:
If you consumed Ayco Farms cantaloupe earlier in the year and developed a Salmonella illness, you may be part of this outbreak.
If you have been seriously impacted by your illness, you should also get advice from an experienced Salmonella Lawyer. They can help answer your questions, gather evidence about your illness, and represent you as needed.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Salmonella Lawyer that can help.
Reach out by calling (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no obligation consultation. A member of our compassionate team will go over the details of your situation with you to help determine if you have a legal case.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)