Whole and pre-cut cantaloupe are making people sick and Quaker Oats recalls many granola products “just in case”
(Salt Lake City, UT)—The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has identified 11 people infected with salmonella who are connected to the nationwide outbreak involving pre-cut and whole cantaloupe. The cases range in age from 2 to 83 years old. Five of those patients had to be hospitalized. Since mid-November, 302 people in 42 states have been infected. Of those, 129 had to be hospitalized, and 4 people in the U.S. died.
Friday, Quaker Oats recalled some granola bars and granola cereals out of concern that the foods could be contaminated with salmonella. There haven’t been any illnesses reported as a result of these products, but you’re asked to either throw them away and visit the recall website for more information and reimbursement.
Public health officials caution if you buy or are served pre-cut cantaloupe and you don’t know which brand of cantaloupes were used, do not eat them. Rinsing recalled cantaloupes does not make them safe to eat. If your cantaloupe is part of the recall or if you don’t know the brand, throw it out.
Information about the recalled cantaloupe can be found on the FDA website. Recalled brands include:
- Malichita and Rudy brand whole cantaloupes:
- These might have a sticker that says “Malichita” or “Rudy,” with the number “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique.”
- Pre-cut fruit products made with recalled whole cantaloupes:
- TGD Cuts cantaloupe chunks, mixed fruits, and fruit trays with use-by dates from November 2 through November 24.
- Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac cantaloupe chunks, seasonal blend, melon mixes, and fruit mixes with best-by dates from November 7 through November 12.
- Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Trader Joe’s cantaloupe chunks, mixed melons, fruit medleys, and fruit trays with best-by dates from October 28 through November 8.
- Cut Fruit Express cantaloupe chunks, melon mixes, and fruit mixes with use-by dates from November 4 through November 6.
- Bix Produce cantaloupe fruit cups and mixed fruit cups with sell-by dates of October 25 and October 26.
Most people who become sick with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps and recover without treatment in 4–7 days. But, Delaney Moore, epidemiologist with DHHS says “the illnesses involved in this outbreak seem more severe and many patients across the country have been hospitalized.”
Illness can last for up to a week or more and can be serious, especially for young children, pregnant women, older adults, and anyone who has a weakened immune system or other health condition. In severe cases, complications from salmonella infection can lead to bloodstream infections and even death. Anyone who recently consumed cantaloupe and has any concerning symptoms should contact a healthcare provider.
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