FDA Releases Outcome of 2022 Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak Investigation
The FDA performed an investigation to look into the source of the cantaloupe that caused the salmonella outbreak in 2022. The investigators visited three farms in Indiana. They tested the farms, the packinghouses, and nearby land for salmonella. All three farms tested positive for the salmonella strain. These specific strains, however, did not match the particular strain of salmonella that caused the outbreak.
During the months of July, August, and September, 88 people reported being sick after eating cantaloupe. I this particular cantaloupe salmonella outbreak, at lest 32 of those 88 people had to be hospitalized due to the extent of their illness. Cantaloupe is not a very common source of salmonella, so people often don’t think of it as the cause of their food poisoning.
The FDA released the outcome of the investigation, but the investigators never found a source for the strand of salmonella bacteria that caused the outbreak. The farms did not have that specific salmonella strain.
After this investigation, the FDA is introducing new requirements and recommendations that farms must follow to keep their produce sanitary. They insist that companies must review current conditions and determine whether they are practical and reasonable. They must acknowledge that nearby farms or land can have an effect on the produce they are growing, such as poultry or livestock. They require pre- and post- harvest testing in order to discover any unwanted bacteria. Farms can only use validated and verified manure, since manure is a very common place for bacteria to grow. They also must use traceability records, in case any more food poisoning outbreaks need to be traced back to the source, making it easier to shut down the outbreak
According to the CDC, someone infected with Salmonella may begin to experience symptoms up to 6 days after being infected. Symptoms include: diarrhea, bloody stool, fever, stomach cramps, vomiting, and dehydration. If symptoms last longer than 6 days or begin to escalate, it is recommended to contact a doctor about any concerns regarding one’s health.
Public health officials recommend that it someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a Salmonella infection, you should contact a doctor or other medical professional immediately. Often, symptoms will persist for about a week but can remain for longer periods of time and can even be life-threatening to vulnerable members of society.
As a prominent food poisoning attorney once said, “Many cases of salmonellosis go unreported each year because people simply don’t know where they could have gotten food poisoning from.”
