Health & Fitness

Melons Recalled In Pennsylvania Over Salmonella Concerns

Melons sold in Pennsylvania by Walmart, Sprouts, Trader Joe's and others are linked to a salmonella outbreak, the CDC says.

A recall of fresh-cut melons linked to a salmonella outbreak has expanded to 15 more states in the last two days, including Pennsylvania, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

So far, the Centers for Disease Control says that 60 people have been sickened by the tainted melons; 31 patients required hospitalization.

Several Pennsylvania retailers are among the businesses that sold the potentially tainted melons. The products were sold at Costco, Kroger, Food 4 Less, Sprouts, Trader Joe's, Walgreens, Walmart and Whole Foods/Amazon.

Find out what's happening in Roxborough-Manayunkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Caito Foods, LLC recalled fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fresh-cut fruit medley products containing one of these melons on June 8. The initial states in the recall were Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio.

But on Thursday, the FDA said Pennsylvania was among 15 additional states subject to the fruit recall.
Stores in Iowa, California, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin received the potentially contaminated product, officials said Tuesday.

Find out what's happening in Roxborough-Manayunkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The CDC says the recalled products are likely the source of the outbreak. Most people who became ill reported eating cantaloupe, watermelon or a fruit salad mix bought from the grocery stores. The illnesses reported in the outbreak began between April 30 and May 28. No deaths have been reported from the sickness.

Consuming products contaminated with salmonella can result in serious illness, health experts warn. It can also produce serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with salmonella can suffer fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, it can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

For more information, call 844-467-7278 Monday through Friday.

The Food and Drug Administration says retailers and wholesale customers should check their inventories and shelves to confirm that none of the products are present or available for purchase. Because it is possible that products shipped between April 17 and June 7 could still be on store shelves, this recall extends to both retailers and consumers.

Photo via CDC


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here