FDA Widens Cantaloupe Recall as Salmonella Infections Double Within a Week

Three more brands of whole and pre-cut cantaloupes were recalled by US health officials on Friday, as the number of salmonella-related illnesses more than doubled this week.

Consumers are being advised by US health officials not to consume specific cantaloupes, both whole and cut, as well as pre-cut fruit products that have been connected to a salmonella poisoning outbreak.

The outbreak was declared on Friday, and at least 43 people in 15 states have been infected, including 17 hospitalized individuals. A number of brands of pre-cut fruit and cantaloupes, both whole and pre-cut, have been recalled. These consist of whole cantaloupe from the Malichita brand, pre-cut cantaloupe from the Vinyard brand, and whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products from ALDI.

Customers should discard any products they may have in their homes.

The goods were recalled earlier this month and were distributed between October 16 and November 10. To find any more potentially contaminated cantaloupe products, investigators are hard at work. Investigators in Canada are looking into an outbreak of the same strain of salmonella that they found in a cantaloupe sample under the Malichita brand.

The outbreak may not be restricted to states with recognized illnesses, and the number of people sickened is probably far higher than those reported. Usually, it takes three or four weeks to identify if an individual who is ill is associated with an outbreak.

The majority of salmonella infections result in fever, diarrhea, and cramping in the stomach six hours to six days after eating food contaminated with the bacteria. A typical illness lasts four to seven days. Individuals who are susceptible, such as minors, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, may experience life-threatening illnesses necessitating medical attention or hospitalization.

The tainted fruits have sickened almost 100 people across 32 states. Ohio, Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota have the most cases. Infections have claimed two lives in Minnesota, and 45 more people are in hospitals across the country.

The original recall by the US Food and Drug Administration involved whole cantaloupe under the Malichita brand, pre-cut cantaloupe under the Vinyard brand, and whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products under ALDI. On Friday, RaceTrac brand pre-cut cantaloupes, Freshness Guaranteed brand cantaloupes, and Rudy brand whole cantaloupes were added to the list.

Health officials advise anyone who purchased the recalled fruits to discard them and use a dishwasher or hot, soapy water to clean any surfaces they came into contact with.

The majority of salmonella infections result in fever, diarrhea, and cramping in the stomach six hours to six days after eating food contaminated with the bacteria. A typical illness lasts four to seven days. Individuals who are susceptible, such as minors, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, may experience life-threatening illnesses necessitating medical attention or hospitalization.

Salmonella infection and how to know if you have it:

An intestinal tract infection caused by the Salmonella bacteria is known as salmonellosis. Normally found in the intestines of humans and animals, salmonella bacteria are excreted through stool. The most common ways for humans to get infected are through contaminated food or water.

When a person has salmonella, they may not experience any symptoms. Most people experience cramping in their stomach, fever, and diarrhea 8 to 72 hours after exposure. In most cases, healthy individuals recover without special treatment in a matter of days or weeks.

Diarrhea can occasionally result in severe dehydration, which calls for immediate medical attention. In the event that the infection spreads outside of the intestines, potentially fatal consequences could arise. When visiting nations lacking in safe drinking water and adequate sewage disposal, there is an increased chance of contracting salmonella.

Eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, or egg products, as well as drinking unpasteurized milk, are the usual causes of salmonella infection. The interval between exposure and illness, or incubation period, can range from six hours to six days. People infected with salmonella frequently mistakenly believe they have the stomach flu.

Salmonella infection symptoms and indicators could include:

• The diarrhea
• abdominal cramps in the stomach
• High temperature
• emesis
• throwing up
• Feeling cold
• Pain in the head
• Stool containing blood

A salmonella infection typically lasts a few days to a week in terms of signs and symptoms. Up to 10 days may pass during diarrhea, but it could take up to several months for the bowels to return to their regular routine.

Some strains of Salmonella bacteria cause typhoid fever, a potentially fatal illness that is more prevalent in developing nations.

When should I see a doctor?

Since most cases of salmonella infection resolve on their own in a few days, most people don’t need to see a doctor.

However, contact a healthcare professional if the afflicted individual is a newborn, young child, elderly person, or someone with a compromised immune system.

• extends beyond a few days
• is linked to bloody stools or a high fever
• seems to be causing dehydration, as evidenced by symptoms like darker urine, less frequent urination, and dry lips and tongue.T