As the FDA added another state to the list of those that received pre-cut melon implicated in a salmonellosis outbreak, the chair of the Congressional Food Safety Caucus implored federal agencies to find “what deficiencies led to this outbreak.”

First reported by federal officials on June 8, the outbreak has sickened 60 people across five states. No deaths have been confirmed. (Scroll down for the most recent list of pre-cut melon products recalled in relation to this outbreak. The company did not submit photos of recalled products to the FDA for posting with the recall notice.) 

The strain of Salmonella Adelaide infecting people is proving more serious than other Salmonella serotypes associated in recent outbreaks. Of the 47 people for whom the information is available, 31 have been admitted to hospitals. That’s a 66 percent hospitalization rate.

“Most of the ill people reported eating pre-cut cantaloupe, watermelon, or a fruit salad mix with melon purchased from grocery stores,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Information collected from stores where ill people shopped indicates that Caito Foods LLC supplied pre-cut melon to these stores.”

With the addition of Iowa on June 12, the implicated freshcut melon and products made with it are known to have been distributed to nine states. At least 10 retailers received the suspect melon products, which include cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon and mixed fruit products, according to a recall notice posted on the Food and Drug Administration’s website.

Caito Foods LLC produced the recalled fresh fruit products in its Indianapolis plant. The company sent the pre-cut fruit to nine states — Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. Other distributors are also implicated.

“Retailers should not sell or serve recalled pre-cut melon products distributed by Caito Foods Distribution, Gordon Food Service, and SpartanNash Distribution,” according to the FDA’s update June 12.

Dozens and dozens of specific products are included in the recall. All of the recalled fruit is packaged in clear plastic containers. Various products in various sized packages was sold by the following retailers:

  • Costco;
  • Jay C; 
  • Kroger; 
  • Payless; 
  • Owen’s; 
  • Sprouts; 
  • Trader Joe’s; 
  • Walgreens; 
  • Walmart; and 
  • Whole Foods/Amazon.   

The relatively short time between the outbreak announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday and the Caito Foods recall on Saturday earned praise from the chair of the Congressional Food Safety Caucus, who said there is still more work to be done.

“While I welcome news that CDC and FDA have identified the manufacturer and initiated a recall, many important questions remain unanswered,” said U.S. Rep Rosa DeLauro, D-CT, in a statement June 12. “Both Agencies, along with their state counterparts, must continue a full and thorough investigation that determines what deficiencies led to this outbreak. That is the only way similar outbreaks can be prevented in the future.”

Advice to consumers
State and federal officials are warning the public not to eat the recalled products. It is particularly important for young children, adults older than 65, and pregnant women to avoid exposure because they are at higher risk of being infected. 

“Check your fridge and freezer for them and throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund,” the CDC warning says. “If you don’t remember where you bought pre-cut melon, don’t eat it and throw it away.”

Anyone who has eaten pre-cut melon recently and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure. Specific tests are necessary to diagnose Salmonella infection, which can be misdiagnosed as other illnesses.

Symptom onset dates for outbreak victims range from April 30 through May 28. The sick people range from less than 1 year old to 97 years old. The median age is 67. Illnesses that began after May 20, 2018, might not yet be reported due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported. This takes an average of two to four weeks, according to the CDC outbreak update.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop signs and symptoms 12-72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria. Symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. In some people, diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. 

Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other places in the body. In some cases, Salmonella infection can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

The illness usually lasts about a week or less in healthy adults, but other groups are at a higher risk of developing serious infections and complications. High-risk people include children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, transplant recipients and HIV patients.


Recalled pre-cut melon products from Caito Foods LLC from FDA website


Customer Product
Description
Pack
Weight 
UPC Packaging, Label Description & Brand Best/Use By Dates
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
MELON MIX 1/10Z 10 oz.
826766139804
Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group
4/27/18 -06/16/18
Kroger
WATERMELON CHUNK 1/10Z 10 oz.
826766139859
Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group
4/27/18 -06/16/18
Kroger
CANTALOUPE CHUNK 1/10Z 10 oz.
826766140008
Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group
4/27/18 -06/16/18
Kroger
CANTALOUPE CHUNK 1/24Z 24 oz.
826766140060
Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group
4/27/18 -06/16/18
Kroger
MELON MIX 1/24Z 24 oz.
826766140077
Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group
4/27/18 -06/16/18
Kroger
WATERMELON CHUNK 1/24Z 24 oz.
826766140084
Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group
4/27/18 -06/16/18
Kroger
WATERMELON CHUNK 1/48Z 48 oz.
826766140145
Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group
4/27/18 -06/16/18
Kroger
FRUIT SNACK TRAY 1/40Z 40 oz.
826766140152
Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group
4/27/18 -06/16/18
Kroger
FRUIT MEDLEY 1/10Z 10 oz.
826766140176
Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group
4/27/18 -06/16/18
Kroger
FRUIT MEDLEY 1/24Z 24 oz.
826766140244
Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group
4/27/18 -06/16/18
Kroger
FRUIT MEDLEY 1/48Z 48 oz.
826766140305
Clear Generic Label Distributed by Renaissance Food Group
4/27/18 -06/16/18
Kroger
FRUIT TRAY SM W/DIP 1/26.75Z 26.75 oz.
826766145386
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

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