FDA Investigated Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide Infections Linked to Pre-Cut Melons

July 26, 2018

On this page:

• Update
• Fast Facts
• What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?
• Timeline
• Recalled Products from Caito Foods, LLC
• What are the Symptoms of Salmonella Infection?
• Who is at Risk?
• What Do Restaurants and Retailers Need To Do?
• What Do Consumers Need To Do?
• Who Should be Contacted?

Fast Facts

• The FDA, CDC, along with state and local officials investigated a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide infections. CDC reported that fruit salad mixes that included pre-cut melons were a likely source of this outbreak.
• FDA advised consumers not to eat recalled fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fresh-cut fruit medley products containing any of these melons. Products were distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers under several different brands or labels and distributed to Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Payless, Owen’s, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Walmart, Whole Foods/Amazon.
• Caito Foods, LLC voluntarily recalled fruit salad mixes that contain pre-cut melons to prevent further distribution of potentially contaminated products.
• CDC reports that there were 77 cases in nine states with 36 hospitalizations. Illnesses started on dates ranging from April 30, 2018, to July 2, 2018. Ill people ranged in age from less than 1 year to 97, with a median age of 67. Sixty-seven percent are female. Out of 70 people with information available, 36 (51%) were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
• The FDA worked with CDC, along with state partners, to trace back the pre-cut melons to identify the source to determine the full distribution of pre-cut melons, and to learn more about the potential route of contamination. No common source was identified.
• Additional distribution information was added to identify retail locations organized by state that received potentially contaminated product. The FDA advised consumers to discard any recalled products purchased at the listed locations.
• Consumers who have symptoms of Salmonella infection should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Most infections usually lasts 4 to 7 days and most people recover without treatment, however some people develop diarrhea so severe that they need to be hospitalized.
• CDC reports as of July 26, 2018, this outbreak appears to be over.

What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?

The FDA, CDC, along with state and local officials investigated a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide infections. Epidemiologic and preliminary traceback evidence indicated that pre-cut melon distributed by Caito Foods, LLC was a likely source of this outbreak. Caito Foods, LLC has voluntarily recalled their products, to prevent further distribution of potentially contaminated products. The recalled products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers and distributed to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The FDA worked with state partners to trace back the pre-cut melons to identify the source of the pathogen, to determine the full distribution of the pre-cut melons, and to learn more about how the contamination occurred. No common source was identified.

There were 77 people ill with this strain of Salmonella in nine states: AR (1), FL (1), IL (7), IN (14), KY (1), MI (39), MO (11), OH (2), TN (1). Illnesses started on dates ranging from April 30, 2018, to July 2, 2018. Ill people range in age from less than 1 year to 97, with a median age of 67. Sixty-seven percent were female. Out of 70 people with information available, 36 (51%) were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.

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Timeline

On June 1, 2018, the FDA learned of the Salmonella Adelaide infections currently being investigated in multiple states that are associated with exposure to fruit salad mixes that include pre-cut melons.
In the following days, the FDA, CDC, and state partners worked together to collect additional information and conduct traceback activities.

On June 8, 2018, Caito Foods, LLC voluntarily recalled fruit salad mixes that contain pre-cut melons to prevent further distribution of potentially contaminated products.

On June 12, 2018, the state of Iowa was added to the list of states that received potentially contaminated product from Caito Foods, LLC. The full list of states includes Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, and Ohio.

On June 13, 2018, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin have been added to the list of states that received potentially contaminated product. The full list of states includes Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

On June 13, 2018, Additional distribution information was added to identify retail locations that received potentially contaminated product. The FDA advised consumers to discard any recalled products purchased at the listed locations.

On June 19, 2018, CDC reported that there are 70 cases in seven states with 34 hospitalizations. Illnesses occurred from April 30, 2018, to June 3, 2018. Ill people range in age from less than 1 year to 97, with a median age of 67. Sixty-seven percent are female. Out of 63 people with information available, 34 (54%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

As of July 24, 2018, CDC reported that there are 77 cases in nine states with 36 hospitalizations. Illnesses occurred from April 30, 2018, to July 2, 2018. Ill people range in age from less than 1 year to 97, with a median age of 67. Sixty-seven percent were female. Out of 70 people with information available, 36 (51%) were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.

As of July 26, 2018, CDC reports this outbreak appears to be over.

Recalled Products from Caito Foods, LLC

The additional distribution information is broken down by state: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Download the List of Recalled Products
PDF 396KB

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What are the Symptoms of Salmonella Infections?

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.

In some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

• Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide Infections
• FDA Salmonella
• CDC Salmonella 

Who is at Risk?

Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis. The rate of diagnosed infections in children less than five years old is higher than the rate in all other people. Children younger than five, the elderly, and those people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections. It is estimated that approximately 400 persons in the United States die each year with acute salmonellosis. .  

What Do Restaurants and Retailers Need To Do?

Retailers should not sell and should discard all recalled products listed above that were supplied by Caito Foods, LLC. The products were packaged in clear, plastic, clamshell containers and distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. . Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. It is recommended that they wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.

• Wash and sanitize display cases and refrigerators regularly.
• Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to prepare, serve, or store food.
• Wash hands with hot water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
• Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.  

What Do Consumers Need To Do?

Consumers should not eat any pre-cut melon or fruit salad mixes containing pre-cut melons that were recalled. The FDA is advising consumers to view the list of retailers and recalled products. If already purchased, consumers are advised to throw away the recalled pre-cut melons or return to the place of purchase for a refund. The FDA continues to collect information to determine any additional sources. The FDA will update this posting as soon as more information becomes available.

Consumers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. It is recommended that they wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.

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