Cantaloupe recall over salmonella expands to include other fruits

 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled some pre-cut pineapples, honeydew melons and watermelons that were processed alongside Malichita cantaloupes. (Martin Meissner/The Associated Press)

  Over 100 individuals in the U.S. and Canada have fallen ill with salmonella after consuming cantaloupe or other fruits now subject to recall.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed on Friday that a total of 99 people in 32 states have been affected by the salmonella outbreak. In the U.S., Minnesota reported two fatalities, and 45 individuals have been hospitalized.

In Canada, officials reported that as of November 22, there have been 26 confirmed cases of Salmonella Soahanina and Sundsvall illness linked to the outbreak. The affected provinces include British Columbia (seven cases), Ontario (seven cases), Quebec (eight cases), Prince Edward Island (two cases), and Newfoundland and Labrador (two cases).

Six individuals in Canada have been hospitalized, and fortunately, no fatalities have been reported.

The original recalls from both the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration encompassed Malichita brand whole cantaloupe.

The CFIA said if people aren't sure what brand of cantaloupe they have, they should throw it out.

Earlier this month, the CFIA declared food recalls for whole cantaloupes, pre-cut cantaloupes, and fruit trays associated with the Malichita brand.

Subsequently, the CFIA has broadened its recall notice to encompass additional brands. This includes certain pre-cut pineapples, honeydew melons, and watermelons that underwent processing alongside Malichita cantaloupes.

Typically, individuals infected with salmonella encounter symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, and they usually recover within a week without medical intervention.

However, vulnerable populations, including children, individuals over 65, and those with weakened immune systems, may develop severe illnesses that necessitate medical attention, potentially leading to hospitalization.