Deadly Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Fruit Sweeps Across US and Canada

Eight deaths have been linked to an outbreak of salmonella that comes from cantaloupe.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, three Americans died from Salmonella on Thursday. According to a report released by the Public Health Agency of Canada the same day, five people also died in Canada.

The health agencies of both countries believe that “Malichita or “Rudy brand” cantaloupes could be the cause of illness. It is believed that at least four suppliers have distributed the fruit.

According to the FDA, there have been several recalls in the last few weeks due to Salmonella concerns. These include whole cantaloupes of both brands and products that are believed to be made with the potentially affected fruit.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on their website that you should not eat cantaloupes pre-cut if they aren’t sure if Malchita cantaloupes or Rudy cantaloupes have been used. “Do not consume any whole or precut cantaloupe product that has been recalled.”

The FDA and Public Health Agency of Canada announced Thursday that there have been 230 salmonella cases in the U.S., and 129 cases in Canada.

According to the CDC, U.S. illnesses are reported in 38 states. 96 of these require hospitalization.

In Canada, 44 people were so sick that they had to be hospitalized. The Public Health Agency of Canada stated that the “majority of sickened individuals” are children aged 5 and under (35%), and adults aged 65 or older (45 %).

According to the agency, salmonella cases have been reported in British Columbia (BC), Ontario (ON), Quebec, Prince Edward Island (PEI), New Brunswick, and Newfoundland & Labrador.

The FDA has previously stated that the CDC and Canada investigated two strains of Salmonella concerning the outbreak.

Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. According to the FDA, these symptoms can last up to one week. They usually appear within three days after eating the contaminated food.

Consumers should throw away their pre-cut or whole cantaloupes if the products are recalled or their origin is questioned.

According to an FDA notice, TGD Cuts LLC recalled certain products, including fresh-cut fruit cups, clamshells, and trays, earlier this week. The company acted because it was concerned that cantaloupes that had been recalled were used in their products.

The FDA said that pre-cut fruit producers should clean and sanitize food-contact surfaces, and assess the need to recall more products because of the potential for cross-contamination in the processing facility.