Cantaloupe purchasers were being warned over the weekend to see if they’ve acquired any of the whole or cut melons being recalled for possible Salmonella contamination.

Pacific Trellis Fruit, LLC has recalled 4,872 Malichita brand whole cantaloupe cases. The recall is due to the FDA’s ongoing investigation of an outbreak involving Malichita brand cantaloupe. The cantaloupes might be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recalled whole cantaloupes are Malichita brand with the 4050 PLU numbers and from lot codes 21651, 21699, 21775,21787, and 21870.

The products were distributed between October 18th and 26th in California, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, and Canada and sold in various retail supermarkets. The whole cantaloupe is packed in corrugated cartons; the price look-up sticker is labeled “Malichita.”

This is an ongoing outbreak, and several illnesses have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States and Canada.

 To date, Pacific Trellis Fruit has not received any reports of illness.

Customers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them and should dispose of them. Consumers with concerns about an illness from consumption of this product should contact a health care provider.

about Salmonella

Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop severe illnesses and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions. Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

The second cantaloupe recall involved cut melon by  Cut Fruit Express Inc. of Inver Grove Heights, MN.

It is recalling Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5oz, and Cut Fruit Express Brand of 6.5oz, 15oz, 16oz, 32oz packages of Fruit Mix contains Cantaloupes and Foodservice packages of 5lb tray, 10lb bag, 25lb Pail, because of the  potential for contaminated with Salmonella,

Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5oz was distributed from Caribou Stores at the MSP Airport Caribou locations in the MSP Airport, Minnesota. The product comes in a clear plastic package. The USE BY DATE was 11/4/23. The remainder of the recalled “Fresh Cut Fruit Mix containing Cantaloupes” under Cut Fruit Express and food service packaging was distributed in MN, WI, and IL via retail and food service delivery. The USE BY DATES were 11/4/23, 11/5/23 and 11/6/23.

No illnesses have been reported concerning this problem with the recalled Cut Fruit products.

The retail product comes in with Use by Date 11/4/23, 11/5/23, 11/6/23 on the top label, and the food service product comes with a date label of 11/3/23 on the bag, tray, or a label with use by date on the pail.

Cut Fruit Express learned that their supplier is issuing a recall on Cantaloupes for potential contamination of Salmonella. Cut Fruit Express is initiating a recall on the affected product that contains the recalled Cantaloupe. The affected products were shipped between October 24th through October 26th, 2023.

• Consumers, restaurants, retailers, and wholesalers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled cantaloupe or recalled products containing cantaloupe.
• Some consumers freeze cantaloupe for later use. Consumers should check their freezers and throw away recalled fresh food or cut frozen cantaloupe for later use.
• If you cannot tell if your cantaloupe is part of the recall, do not eat or use it; throw it away.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.