A recall of more than 50,000 cantaloupes has been upgraded to the FDA’s highest level over fears they could trigger a deadly infection.
Florida-based Ayco Farms first issued the alert for its whole cantaloupes last month amid concerns that they may be contaminated with salmonella, a dangerous bacteria that kills hundreds of Americans every year.
The recall was for 8,300 cartons of its cantaloupes, wrapped in food-safe plastic, with each box containing between six and 12 melons.
They were sold at grocery stores in California, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania.
On Monday, the FDA deemed the recall a ‘Class I’ recall, its most serious alert level, meaning there is a ‘reasonable probability’ that consuming the cantaloupes will ’cause serious adverse health consequences or death’.
The melons were sold between December 12 and January 16, and have a shelf life of around 30 days. None are believed to still be on store shelves.
Ayco Farms said it had sent a formal notification to customers on March 24, in line with what it said were standard procedures.
No illnesses or deaths have been reported linked to this recall.
Shown above is an Ayco Farms cantaloupe. The business recalled its whole cantaloupes over fears they are contaminated with salmonella
Cantaloupes in the recall had the following LOT numbers: GC26257, GC26270, GC26288, GC26289, GC26290, GC26294, GC26299, GC26301, GC26307, GC26308, GC26311, GC26312, GC26313, GC26318, GC26325, GC26326, GC26328, SCX2601, SCX2606, SCX2611, SCX2614, SCX2622, SCX2625, SCX2629, SCX2633, SGC2601, SGC2602, and SGC2607.
No advice has been issued on what to do if someone believes they have purchased a recalled cantaloupe.
But, in previous cases, health officials have urged people not to consume the melons and to throw them out immediately.
Customers have also been urged to disinfect any surfaces that the cantaloupes came into contact with.
Anyone who believes they were sickened by the cantaloupes is encouraged to contact their doctor for treatment or local health officials to report the case.
In the recall notice, the FDA said that none of the cantaloupes were sold abroad or to government agencies.
Cantaloupes were also linked to a major outbreak in 2023 that led to six deaths and 407 illnesses. In this case, the cantaloupes were contaminated with salmonella
It was not clear what triggered the recall, but it may be linked to a test or an inspection that revealed the potential presence of salmonella.
In previous cases, salmonella has been on the rind of contaminated cantaloupes, which then enters the fruit’s flesh after they are cut open.
The alert follows a major salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes in 2023 that led to six deaths, 158 hospitalizations and 407 illnesses.
In this outbreak, investigators said that irrigation with salmonella-contaminated water led to the rinds of the cantaloupes being contaminated with the bacteria.
Those infected with salmonella develop symptoms within 12 to 72 hours, health officials say. Warning signs include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps.
In healthy adults, the infection lasts four to seven days before clearing.
But, in serious cases, the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream and cause the life-threatening complication sepsis.
Children younger than five years old, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of infection.
Doctors may treat the condition using antibiotics or encourage patients to drink more fluids to ensure they do not become dehydrated.
Overall, about 1.35million infections, 26,000 hospitalizations and 420 deaths from salmonella are recorded in the US every year.
