TruFresh Cantaloupe Outbreak: Update Pushes Number Ill Past 300
Thus far, over 300 people have become ill and 4 have died due to a recent Salmonella cantaloupe outbreak. The culprit is both whole and pre-cut cantaloupe, leaving officials to urge consumers to check their own produce for the affected brands’ labels in hopes of preventing a further rise in the number of those affected.
“If you do not know what brand it is, you are safer not eating it.”
The labels of the whole cantaloupe by Crown Jewels Produce, identified as affected by the recall, has been marketed under the name of TruFresh and are in boxes labeled as either “Malichita” or “Rudy” and have the number 4050 on it. Although Crown Jewels Produce launched the initial recall for the whole cantaloupe produce, the recall has expanded to Sofia Produce and CF Dallas.
These recalls apply to pre-cut cantaloupe mixes as well, with brands affected by the recall including (at least) Cut Fruit Express, TGD Cuts, LLC, Kwik Trip, Bix Produce, and GHGA.
As of now, the total count is 302 illnesses, 129 hospitalizations, and 4 deaths.
Although most of the produce potentially tainted by Salmonella has already been taken off the shelves, consumers often freeze their cantaloupe for later use. Therefore, it is recommended that all customers clean out their freezers and throw away any potentially-harmful products, especially if the cantaloupe does not have a label on it, and therefore who manufactured comes into question. Also, it is incredibly important that all surfaces the product could have come into contact with are cleaned due to potential cross-contamination. Patrons do not have to consume the tainted product in order to become ill in secondary or tertiary exposure.
So far, a number of lawsuits related to this Salmonella outbreak have been filed, as those impacted seek compensation. According to lead food poisoning attorney Ron Simon, “there are manufacturing and harvesting rules and regulations in place to prevent this type of outbreak, but somewhere along the way, people took short-cuts that have now placed Americans at risk. We intend to identify what went wrong and to work to prevent this sort of thing from happening again.”
Salmonella Illness and Symptoms
Most people are pretty familiar with the term “Salmonella” and what it means. Salmonella is a foodborne illness that can be contracted by consuming contaminated drink or food such as unpasteurized dairy, raw meats, and fresh fruits and vegetables. According to the CDC, Salmonella causes approximately 1.35 million infections annually, including 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year. Although it is quite common, most people are unaware that there are different types of Salmonella, called “serotypes”. There are actually hundreds (even thousands) of different serotypes of Salmonella, although scientists have identified “under 100” as common causes of human illness.
How do people contract Salmonella?
People become infected with Salmonella by consuming either food or drink that is contaminated with the bacteria. This can, once again, become a problem if a person has consumed raw or undercooked meats, unwashed produce, or unpasteurized or “raw” dairy. Salmonella can also be contracted if a person is handling any of these foods and fails to wash their hands or clean the surfaces these foods have touched, resulting in the bacteria being transferred from one surface to another. This is called cross-contamination. In some cases, touching animals provide the initial exposure, and through poor personal hygiene, the bacteria ends up being consumed.
What are the symptoms, and how does it affect people?
The most common symptoms of Salmonella include, according to the CDC, diarrhea (“can” be bloody, but not always), fever, and stomach cramps. Some people may even suffer from persistent nausea, vomiting, or headaches. For most, treatment from a doctor is not a medical necessity – though proper treatment may shorten the illness and give heath agencies a “heads-up” to a possible outbreak. The symptoms often last for approximately a week and then begin to go away on their own. But for some, hospitalization is required for one reason or another, with the biggest reason being dehydration that can lead to cardiac and neurological problems. The most likely to require hospitalization include those who are pregnant, the immunocompromised, young children and older adults, and those who suffer from severe health conditions.
Get Tested to Help Save Lives: Simple Stool Test Recommended
In order to confirm your diagnosis of Salmonella or of another food poisoning bacteria, a stool sample is required in order to confirm a diagnosis. If a presence of the bacteria is discovered, then the diagnosis is confirmed. It is imperative that the person then cooperates when contacted by the Health Department. The Heath Department is contacted so they are aware of the situation and can help trace the origin of the illness to prevent the further spread of the bacteria..
