ICYMI: Cantaloupes Linked to Salmonella Infections Sold in Wisconsin – Some of Wisconsin’s illnesses have occurred in residential care facilities

The Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) is sending this message as a part of our commitment to Collaboration, Innovation and Quality.

An important message from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health.

Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Cantaloupes
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), along with the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP), local health departments, and federal partners, is working to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to cantaloupe.

  • According to the CDC, 117 people in 34 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella. Sixty-one people have been hospitalized and two deaths have been reported.
  • Wisconsin has at least 10 laboratory-confirmed case(s) linked to this outbreak.
    o Some of Wisconsin’s illnesses have occurred with long-term care facility
    residents.

Recall Information:
Malichita and Rudy brand whole cantaloupes

Pre-cut fruit products made with recalled whole cantaloupes

  • Kwik Trip cantaloupe cups, mixed fruit cups, and fruit tray with sell-by dates from November 4 through December 3.
  • Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac cantaloupe chunks, seasonal blend, melon mixes, and fruit mixes with best-by dates from November 7 through November 12.
  • Vinyard cantaloupe cubes, melon medleys, and fruit medleys sold in Oklahoma stores from October 30 through November 10.
  • Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Trader Joe’s cantaloupe chunks, mixed melons, fruit medleys, and fruit trays with best-by dates from October 28 through November 8.
  • ALDI whole cantaloupes, cantaloupe chunks, and pineapple spears with best-by dates from October 27 through October 31.
  • Bix Produce cantaloupe fruit cups and mixed fruit cups with sell-by dates of October 25 and October 26.

Investigators are working to identify any additional cantaloupe products that may be contaminated.
Advice to Long-Term Care Facilities, Childcare Centers, and Hospitals:

  • Do not use any recalled whole or pre-cut cantaloupes.
    o Washing does not remove all germs and does not make recalled products safe
    to eat.
  • Do not serve any cantaloupe that was supplied pre-cut if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used.
  • Wash and sanitize items and surfaces that may have come in contact with recalled cantaloupes.

Advice to Consumers:

  • Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupes if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used.
    o This includes cantaloupe chunks and fruit mixes with cantaloupes at
    restaurants and grocery stores.
  • Do not eat any recalled whole or pre-cut cantaloupe products.
    o If you have any, throw them away or return them to the store.
    o If the whole cantaloupe does not have a sticker, check with the store to make
    sure it is not a Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupe.
  • Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the cantaloupe using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
  • Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms:
    o Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F.
    o Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving.
    o Bloody diarrhea.
    o So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down.
    o Signs of dehydration, such as:
    * Not peeing much
    * Dry mouth and throat
    * Feeling dizzy when standing up

Advice to Businesses:

  • Do not sell or serve recalled cantaloupes and products made with recalled cantaloupe, even if they have been washed.
    o Washing does not remove all germs and does not make recalled products safe
    to eat.
  • Wash and sanitize items and surfaces that may have come in contact with recalled cantaloupes.

See the FDA, CDC and DHS webpages for more information on this investigation, and to stay up to date on other food-borne outbreaks and recalls:

For updates and additional information on this investigation visit the: DHS outbreaks webpage.