Due to a salmonella poisoning outbreak, US health officials have issued a strong warning to customers, asking them to refrain from consuming specific whole and chopped cantaloupes as well as pre-cut fruit items.
The announcement came on Friday, revealing that at least 43 people in 15 states have been infected, with 17 individuals requiring hospitalization.
Urgent Warning
Several brands of cantaloupes and pre-cut fruit associated with the outbreak have been recalled. Notable among them are Malichita brand whole cantaloupe, Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupe, and ALDI whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products.
Consumers are strongly advised to discard these products if they have them in their homes.
The affected products were sold between October 16 and November 10, with the recall initiated earlier this month.
Health investigators are diligently working to identify any additional cantaloupe products that may be contaminated. Canadian officials are also investigating a parallel outbreak involving the same strain of salmonella, initially detected in a sample of Malichita brand cantaloupe.
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Salmonella outbreak in cantaloupes prompts recall
The reported number of people affected in the outbreak is likely underestimated, and the scope may extend beyond states with confirmed cases. Determining whether a sick person is part of the outbreak typically takes three to four weeks.
Salmonella infection symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, usually manifesting within six hours to six days after consuming contaminated food.
While most illnesses last four to seven days, vulnerable individuals, such as children, those over 65, and those with weakened immune systems, may experience severe symptoms requiring medical attention or hospitalization.
The situation’s urgency underscores the importance of heeding the recall and discarding the implicated products to prevent further infections.
Consumers are advised to stay informed about updates from health officials as investigations progress and to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms associated with salmonella poisoning.
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