CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A salmonella infection linked to cantaloupe consumption has been detected in Wyoming. Hundreds of illnesses, hospitalizations and even deaths have been reported in connection to tainted fruits nationwide since the outbreak began in November.
Cheyenne Laramie County Public Health confirmed Tuesday morning that it had detected a case of salmonella induced from cantaloupe consumption in the Equality State. The department did not specify where in the state the illness was reported.
Throughout the U.S., more than 230 individual cases of illness have been reported due to bacterial infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Just under 100 people have been hospitalized, and three Americans have died because of their sickness.
Recalled brands
In response to the salmonella outbreak, the Food and Drug Administration has issued recalls for various brands of cantaloupe. As of the time of reporting, various brands of cantaloupe have been recalled.
Consumers should avoid consuming any whole melons labeled “Malichita” or “Rudy,” “4050” and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique.” Retailers and wholesalers should also have recalled whole melons from Crown Jewels Produce in boxes labeled “Malichita/Z Farms” or from Sofia Produce doing business as TruFresh in boxes labeled “Malichita” or “Rudy,” or from Pacific Trellis in corrugated cartons with certain lot codes.
Additionally, the following pre-cut cantaloupe products have been recalled:
- ALDI cantaloupe, cut cantaloupe and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging with best-by dates between Oct. 27 and Oct. 31 and sold in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan and Wisconsin.
- Vinyard cantaloupe chunks and cubes, fruit mixes, melon medleys and fruit cups containing cantaloupe. Most have a “Vinyard” label, and some have a red label with “Fresh” sold between Oct. 30 and Nov. 10 in Oklahoma stores.
- Freshness Guaranteed (sold at select Walmart stores) seasonal blend, melon trio, melon mix, fruit blend, fruit bowl, seasonal fruit tray, fruit mix and cantaloupe chunks; and RaceTrac fruit medley sold in clear square or round plastic containers. Recalled products were sold at select retail stores in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois, Texas and Louisiana.
- KwikTrip 6-ounce mixed fruit cup, 6-ounce cantaloupe cup and 16-ounce fruit tray distributed to Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Stop-N-Go, Tobacco Outlet Plus Grocery, and Tobacco Outlet Plus convenience stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois and South Dakota.
- Bix Produce 5.75-ounce Created Fresh! cantaloupe Grab N’ Go fruit cups, Created Fresh! Grab N’ Go mixed fruit cups, and Jack & Olive mixed fruit cups sold in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
- GHGA pre-cut products containing cantaloupe branded as Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joes, and unbranded products sold at Kroger. Recalled products were distributed to Kroger stores in Alabama and Georgia, Sprout’s Farmers Market stores in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and Trader Joe’s stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.
- Cut Fruit Express Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5 ounces and Cut Fruit Express-brand of 6.5-ounce, 15-ounce, 16-ounce and 32-ounce packages of Fruit Mix containing cantaloupes. This recall also includes food service packages of cantaloupe chunks and fruit mixes containing cantaloupe.
- TGD Cuts, LLC fresh-cut fruit cup, clamshell and tray products containing cantaloupe.
Salmonella symptoms
According to the CDC, the following symptoms may manifest in someone who is sick from salmonella:
- Diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.
- Symptoms usually start six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria.
- Without treatment, most people recover after four to seven days.
- Certain groups of people — especially children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older and people with weakened immune systems — may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
To learn more about salmonella illness and how to respond to it, visit the CDC’s Salmonella Questions and Answers web page.
