A Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Cantaloupe Has Resulted In 17 Hospitalizations

Before you begin prepping your Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers to serve up to holiday guests, we ask you once again to check the label on your cantaloupe. Just months after 6,456 cases of whole cantaloupe were recalled across the South, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has alerted customers of another cantaloupe recall linked to a Salmonella outbreak. 

The recalled cantaloupe and cantaloupe products—which come from three brands, including ALDI brand—were distributed in Arizona, California, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Texas, and Canada. The recalled fruit includes: 

• Whole fresh cantaloupes with a “Malichita” label (UPC “4050” and marked “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”) sold between Oct. 16 and Oct. 23
• ALDI cantaloupe, cut cantaloupe, and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging with best-by dates between Oct. 27 and Oct. 31
• Vinyard cantaloupe chunks and cubes, fruit mixes, melon medleys, and fruit cups containing cantaloupe (most have a “Vinyard” label; some have a red label with “Fresh” sold between Oct. 30 and Nov. 10 in Oklahoma)

Note that, in addition to cantaloupe sold by ALDI, the affordable grocery chain has also recalled pineapple spears that may have been cross-contaminated with cantaloupe.

Though the investigation is ongoing, there have already been 43 reports of illness in 15 states connected to this Salmonella outbreak, and 17 individuals have been hospitalized. “Based on epidemiological data collected by CDC,” the FDA recall reads, “15 of 29 [Salmonella] cases reported exposure to cantaloupe.” Thankfully, no deaths have been reported.

The FDA urges any customers who have the affected cantaloupe in their refrigerator or freezer to toss immediately and to follow safe handling protocol—like extra sanitization on any surfaces the melon may have touched—to avoid cross-contamination. If you’re not sure, it’s better to be safe than sorry; throw away any suspicious melon.

We will not be welcoming Salmonella ‘round our holiday table this year.