Outbreak! Caito Foods Fresh Cut Melon Has Salmonella (Again!)

Posted in Food Safety,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls,Salmonella on April 12, 2019

It looks like last year’s Summer of Salmonella is returning with the Spring of Salmonella. This time precut fruit is again on the chopping block (no pun intended). Sound familiar? Probably because it is. Remember last years’ precut melon salmonella outbreak that left 117 people sick in 10 states? Well, we are at it again. It is likely that a Salmonella lawsuit (or many) is going to be in the works soon. Here is everything you need to know about this latest Caito Foods Fresh Cut Melon Salmonella Outbreak.

What We Know

The investigation is still ongoing in this outbreak, but we do know a few key facts:

• There is a link between Salmonella Carrau illnesses and pre-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and pre-cut fruit medley products.
• According to the FDA, Caito Foods “has been advised by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it has linked 93 illnesses to the strain of Salmonella under investigation.”
• 32 People have been hospitalized.
• No deaths are reported at this time.
• Illnesses started on dates ranging from March, 4, 2019, to April 8, 2019.
• Ill people range in age from less than one to 98 years, with a median age of 53. Most of those who are ill are over 50 years old.
• In interviews, ill people answered questions about the foods they ate and other exposures in the week before they became ill. Forty-six (73%) of 63 people interviewed reported eating pre-cut melons purchased at grocery stores, including pre-cut cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, or a fruit salad mix or fruit tray with melon. Five additional people reported eating pre-cut melon outside the home.
• According to the latest alert from the CDC, “these products were distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.”
• The FDA’s notice states that the local state health departments alerted them to the cluster of illnesses linked to the products.

Retailers

The melon products were sold at these retailers under these brand names,

• Kroger under the Renaissance Food Group label
• Kroger under Boar’s Head Private Label
• Target under the Garden Highway Label
• Trader Joes under the Trader Joes label
• Walmart under a Freshness Guaranteed label
• Amazon/Whole Foods under the Whole Foods Market Label

And these products were distributed by:

• Caito Foods Distribution with the label “Distributed by Caito Foods”
• Gordon Food Service with the label “Distributed by Caito Foods”
• SpartanNash Distribution with the label “Open Acres”

Is there a recall?

Just today, the FDA put out a public notice of Caito Food’s recall of its fresh cut melon products. According to their notice:

“Caito Foods is voluntarily recalling fresh cut watermelon, fresh cut honeydew melon, fresh cut cantaloupe and fresh cut mixed fruit containing one of these melons, produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Carrau…

The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers and distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.   A full list of recalled products, including the brand, product label and retailer where sold, is included below.  Caito Food and SpartanNash Company supply to independent retailers, so it is important to look at the label description and brand information to identify the product.

Because it is possible that products could still be on store shelves, this recall extends to both retailers and consumers.  Consumers should not consume the product and should promptly dispose of any remaining product.”

The HUGE list of products under recall can be found at the bottom of this post.

In the meantime, Caito Foods has temporarily suspended producing and distributing these products as the investigation is pending.

This outbreak is linked to fresh cut melons and melon mixes. This means whole melons are safe – but we recommend that you wash them really well or scrub them with a brush and running water prior to cutting.

What Should We Do?

First of all, STOP eating precut or fresh cut melon products made by Caito Foods. Everyone is urged to check their kitchens and get rid of any pre-cut melon products that match the information on the recall list below. Even if you have already eaten fruit from the package and not gotten sick, disposal of the affected food products is HIGHLY recommended. A person can become sick with Salmonellosis by a mere bite of food. A second round of roulette is not worth the risk.

The FDA notes:

“Because it is possible that products could still be on store shelves, this recall extends to both retailers and consumers.  Consumers should not consume the product and should promptly dispose of any remaining product.

Retailers and wholesale customers should check their inventories and shelves to confirm that none of the products are present or available for purchase by consumers or in warehouse inventories.”

It is also recommended that if you don’t remember where you bought the fresh cut melon products, don’t eat it and throw it away anyway. Food establishments and restaurants have also been advised to do the same.

The CDC also recommends:

• Check your fridge and freezer for recalled products and throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Follow these steps to clean your fridge if you had any recalled product.
• Retailers and restaurants should not sell or serve recalled pre-cut melon products supplied by Caito Foods LLC.

Salmonella Facts

If you or someone you love recently ate fresh cut melon or melon mixes and have become sick, urgent medical attention is recommended. Keep an eye out for the telltale signs of a Salmonella infection, like:

• High fever above 101.5° Fahrenheit
• Bloody diarrhea
• Frequent vomiting (it can cause severe dehydration), especially if it lasts more than a day or so
• Diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days (again, severe dehydration)
• Any warning signs of dehydration, including: dry throat and mouth, decreased urination, and dizziness

It is crucial that more and more people know about the outbreak so that those affected can take appropriate actions as soon as possible. Getting medical check-up early is crucial when it comes to foodborne illnesses, especially during this outbreak where we are seeing a higher instance of hospitalizations than usual. The earlier you go see a doctor, the less the risk of complications and shorter the recovery time. Don’t forget to ask for a stool test to determine if you have Salmonella.

It is recommended that you take a picture of the container the melon was in and keep a copy of the receipt, just in case you need it for reporting to the health department.

The Lange Law Firm

Our mission is to help families who have been harmed by contaminated food or water.  When corporations cause Salmonella food poisoning outbreaks or Legionnaires disease outbreaks, we use the law to hold them accountable.  The Lange Law Firm, PLLC is the only law firm in the nation solely focused on representing families in food poisoning lawsuits and Legionnaires disease lawsuits.

If you were infected with Salmonella after eating fresh cut melon or melon mixes and are interested in making a legal claim for compensation, we have a Salmonella lawyer ready to help you.  Call us for a free no obligation legal consultation at (833) 330-3663 or send us an e-mail here.

By: Candess Zona-Mendola, Editor (Non-Lawyer)

The products listed below are included in this recall: