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The Melon Muddle: Massive Recall of Pre-Cut Fruits Due to Salmonella

Posted in Food Safety,Outbreaks & Recalls,Salmonella on June 9, 2018

It’s getting to be old, and rather discouraging and frightening news. Yet another instance of Salmonella infections has raised its sneaky head, this time in melons. But before we let out our collective sighs of frustration, remember that Make Food Safe, the CDC, and the FDA are on top of providing consumers with rapid information regarding outbreaks and recalls. It doesn’t quite take the sting away from this type of information, but our purpose is to inform and arm readers with any and all relevance to such occurrences.

Just two days prior to this recall, I purchased a container of pre-cut fruit (strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe, and watermelon) at a local Walmart. I was planning on enjoying it with one of my daughters, yet as soon as we bit into the watermelon, I remember telling my daughter that it “tasted funny”. I promptly threw the rest of it away. We got lucky: I attributed the unpleasant taste to the mixture of fruit juices swirling at the bottom of the container. We had dodged a metaphorical bullet. Others weren’t so lucky.

The Outbreak

Sixty individuals became sickened with symptoms of Salmonella after eating pre-cut melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, muskmelon, and watermelon), and 31 were hospitalized. Fortunately, there are no deaths associated with this latest outbreak. Initially, the reported cases appeared in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio, but as of June 9, 2018, cases have extended to Georgia, Kentucky, and North Carolina. The contaminated items were purchased in Walmart and Kroger food stores.

As a precautionary measure, Walmart and Kroger pulled the offending produce off the shelves on June 7th. The CDC as well as health officials in the aforementioned states have advised consumers not to eat pre-cut melon purchased recently from Walmart and Kroger, and to discard it promptly. The CDC also further advised consumers to throw away fruit salad that is made with pre-cut fruit as an additional precaution. We recommend taking a picture of the sticker or container as well, and save your receipt, just in case you get sick and need it for reporting.

Those who became ill are spread across the aforementioned states, with Michigan tolling 32 cases, Indiana with 11, Illinois with six, Missouri with 10, and Ohio had one case. The contamination, at this point, does not include whole melons. Health officials urge:

  • Pre-cut melon from Walmart stores in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, or Ohio should not be eaten. Throw it away.
  • Pre-cut melon from Kroger, Jay C, or Payless stores in Indiana or Michigan should not be eaten. Throw it away.
  • If you can’t remember where you bought your pre-cut melon, don’t eat it, and throw it away.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, and fever after consuming pre-cut fruit from Walmart or Kroger, contact your health professional right away!!

Symptoms of Salmonella Infection

If you suspect that you have been infected by eating pre-cut melons, look for the following symptoms:

  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Fever

A Salmonella infection typically incubates for 12 to 72 hours after the consumption of the contaminated food, and symptoms can appear from four days to one week. Children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk for severe symptoms and hospitalization. Again, please contact your health care professional if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms.

Update: Source of Contamination Found and The Recall 

Fortunately, the source of the contamination has been discovered. Caito Foods is now voluntarily recalling fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and pre-cut mixed fruit containing these same melons. The fruit was produced at their facility in Indianapolis, and is being recalled due to an abundance of caution. The CDC has advised Caito Foods that they have linked 58 of the 60 reported cases of Salmonellainfection that are under investigation. The products were distributed in clear, plastic clamshell containers in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio.

This recall also applies to pre-cut fruit products that were shipped between April 17 and June 7, 2018, so the recall would extend to retailers as well as consumers as the products could still be in stores. Caito Foods has stopped producing and distributing the affected produce as the company and the FDA continue their investigation.

Please refer to the following link for a complete list of the products included in the recall:

Customer Product Description Pack Weigh UPC Label Description/Brand Best By/Use By Date Range
Caito Foods Distribution CANTALOUPE SPEARS 6/16Z 16 oz. 81851301294 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution HONEYDEW SPEARS 6/16Z 16 oz. 81851301300 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution MELON MIX 6/10Z 10 oz. 81851301331 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution FRUIT MIX 6/10Z 10 oz. 81851301348 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution HONEYDEW CHUNKS 6/10Z 10 oz. 81851301362 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution CANTALOUPE CHUNKS 6/10Z 10 oz. 81851301379 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution WATERMELON CHUNKS 6/9.5Z 9.5 oz. 81851301386 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution FRUIT MIX 6/5Z 5 oz. 81851301393 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution FRUIT BURST 4/20Z 20 oz. 81851301409 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution FRUIT MIX 3/48Z 48 oz. 81851301416 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution MELON MIX 6/16Z 16 oz. 81851301430 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution FRUIT MIX 6/16Z 16 oz. 81851301447 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution FRUIT SNACK TRAY 3/32Z 32 oz. 81851301454 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution FRUIT PARTY PLATTER 3/64Z 64 oz. 81851301461 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution MELON MIX SPEARS 6/16Z 16 oz. 81851301478 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution FRUIT BOWL 6/64Z 64 oz. 81851301485 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution WATERMELON SPEAR 6/16Z 16 oz. 81851301591 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution WATERMELON SPEAR 4/28Z 28 oz. 81851301607 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution CANTALOUPE CHUNKS 1/80Z 80 oz. 81851301614 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution HONEYDEW CHUNKS 1/80Z 80 oz. 81851301621 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution FRUIT MIX 1/5LB 80 oz. 81851302079 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution WATERMELON CHUNKS 1/5LB 80 oz. 81851302147 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution FRUIT BURST 6/10Z 10 oz. 81851302215 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution WATERMELON TRAY 1/5LB 80 oz. 81851302239 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Caito Foods Distribution WATERMELON CHUNK 4/18Z 18 oz. 826766260317 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Costco FRUIT BOWL 8/48Z 48 oz. 826766241125 Garden Highway Label 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Gordon Food Service WATERMELON CHUNKS 4/5Z 5 oz. 826766009800 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Gordon Food Service CANTALOUPE CHUNKS 4/5Z 5 oz. 826766009817 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Gordon Food Service MELON MIX 4/5Z 5 oz. 826766009886 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Gordon Food Service FRUIT MIX 6/4.5Z  4.5 oz. 826766257676 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Gordon Food Service WATERMELON CHUNK 4/10Z 10 oz. 826766260041 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Caito Foods 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Kroger WATERMELON QUARTER 6/36Z 36 oz. 826766139903 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Kroger CANTALOUPE HALF 6/24Z 24 oz. 826766139927 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Kroger WATERMELON SLICE 1/55Z 55 oz. 826766139941 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Kroger WATERMELON CHUNK 1/5LB 80 oz. 826766896011 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Kroger HONEYDEW CHUNKS 1/10Z 10 oz. 49022558632 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Kroger MELON SPEAR TRIO 1/16Z 16 oz. 826766139590 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Kroger MIXED SPEARS 1/16Z 16 oz. 826766139606 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Kroger WATERMELON SPEAR 1/16Z 16 oz. 826766139620 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Kroger FRUIT TRAY LRG W/DIP 1/63Z 63 oz. 826766145393 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Kroger WATERMELON SPEAR 1/4LB 64 oz. 826766181704 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Kroger FRU TRAY LG W/WATMLN 1/64.75Z 64.75 oz. 826766185498 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Kroger SALAD FIESTA FRUIT 1/18Z 18 oz. 826766185641 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Kroger CANTALOUPE CHUNK 1/5LB 80 oz. 826766896578 Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution FRUIT MIX 6/5Z 5 oz. 884853630610 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution CANTALOUPE CHUNKS 1/80Z 80 oz. 884853631266 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution WATERMELON SPEAR 4/28Z 28 oz. 884853630672 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution CANTALOUPE SPEARS 6/16Z 16 oz. 884853630856 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution FRUIT BURST 6/10Z 10 oz. 884853630887 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution MELON MIX 6/10Z 10 oz. 884853630894 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution FRUIT MIX 6/10Z 10 oz. 884853630900 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution HONEYDEW CHUNKS 6/10Z 10 oz. 884853630924 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution CANTALOUPE CHUNKS 6/10Z 10 oz. 884853630931 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution WATERMELON CHUNKS 6/9.5Z 9.5 oz. 884853630948 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution FRUIT BURST 4/20Z 20 oz. 884853630955 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution FRUIT MIX 3/48Z 48 oz. 884853630962 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution MELON MIX 6/16Z 16 oz. 884853630986 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution FRUIT MIX 6/16Z 16 oz. 884853630993 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution FRUIT TRAY 3/32Z 32 oz. 884853631006 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution FRUIT PARTY PLATTER 3/64Z 64 oz. 884853631013 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution WATERMELON SPEAR 6/16Z 16 oz. 884853631068 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
SpartanNash Distribution HONEYDEW CHUNKS 1/80Z 80 oz. 884853631273 Open Acres 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Sprouts WATERMELON CHUNK 6/18Z 18 oz. 646670522406 Sprouts Farmers Market 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Sprouts MELON MIX CHUNK 6/20Z 20 oz. 646670522437 Sprouts Farmers Market 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Sprouts WATERMELON CHUNK 6/9.5Z 9.5 oz. 646670522444 Sprouts Farmers Market 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Sprouts FRUIT BURST 6/10Z 10 oz. 646670522482 Sprouts Farmers Market 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Sprouts FRUIT PARTY PLATTER 3/64Z 64 oz. 646670522499 Sprouts Farmers Market 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Sprouts WATERMELON SPEAR 6/16Z 16 oz. 826766893850 Sprouts Farmers Market 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Trader Joes CANTALOUPE SLICE Trader Joe’s 12/16Z 16 oz. 00952668 Trader Joe’s 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens MELON MIX 1/10Z 10 oz. 49022519114 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens WATERMELON CHUNK 1/5Z 5 oz. 49022519138 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens CANTALOUPE SNACK CUP WAG 1/5Z 5 oz. 49022519169 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens SEASONAL FRUIT SALAD 1/10Z 10 oz. 49022519183 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens TROPICAL MEDLEY 1/10Z 10 oz. 49022536999 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens MANGO PINE LOPE SPEAR WAG 1/5Z 5 oz. 49022537019 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens FRUIT BURST 1/10Z 10 oz. 49022558625 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens WATERMELON SPEAR 1/16Z 16 oz. 49022588219 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens CANTALOUPE SPEAR WAG 1/16Z 16 oz. 49022588240 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens FRUIT SALAD SEASONAL WAG 1/32Z 32 oz. 49022637764 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens FRUIT TRAY 1/22Z 22 oz. 49022683129 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens WATERMELON CHUNK 1/9.5Z 9.5 oz. 49022804586 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens FRUIT SPEAR ASSORTED 1/16Z 16 oz. 49022813823 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens CANTALOUPE CHUNK 1/10Z 10 oz. 49022822436 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens FRUIT MIX 1/10Z 10 oz. 49022822443 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walgreens WATERMELON CHUNK 1/18Z 18 oz. 49022923331 Delish 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart CANTALOUPE SPEAR 4/10Z 10 oz. 681131180146 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart CANTALOUPE SPEAR 4/16Z 16 oz. 681131180153 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart FRUIT TRAY 2/48Z 48 oz. 681131180207 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart FRUIT BOWL 2/40Z 40 oz. 681131180238 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart SEASONAL BLEND 4/10Z 10 oz. 681131180481 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart SEASONAL BLEND 4/16Z 16 oz. 681131180498 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart SEASONAL BLEND 2/32Z 32 oz. 681131180504 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart WATERMELON CHUNK 2/42Z 40 oz. 681131180658 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart WATERMELON SPEAR 4/16Z 16 oz. 681131180665 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart WATERMELON SPEAR 4/10Z 10 oz. 681131180672 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart WATERMELON SPEAR 2/32Z 32 oz. 681131180689 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart SEASONAL TRIO 2/32Z 32 oz. 681131180696 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart WATERMELON QUARTERS 4/44Z 47 oz. 681131221719 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart MELON BERRY MIX 4/10Z 13 oz. 826766254248 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Walmart SALAD SEASONAL FRUIT 4/10Z 13 oz. 826766254262 Freshness Guaranteed 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Whole Foods/Amazon MELON COMBO 20 oz. 82676681120 Whole Foods Market Label 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Whole Foods/Amazon FRUIT TRAY SMALL 36 oz. 826766811274 Whole Foods Market Label 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Whole Foods/Amazon FRUIT SALAD SEASONAL 20 oz. 826766810987 Whole Foods Market Label 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Whole Foods/Amazon CANTALOUPE CHUNKS 10 oz. 826766811199 Whole Foods Market Label 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Whole Foods/Amazon WATERMELON CHUNKS 9.5 oz. 826766810956 Whole Foods Market Label 4/27/18 – 06/16/18
Whole Foods/Amazon Watermelon Spears, 16 oz. 826766810970 Whole Foods Market Label 4/27/18 – 06/16/18

By: Kerry Bazany, Contributing Writer (Non-Lawyer)