Canadian scientists from the Science Branch, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food and Nutrition Directorate, Health Canada published about factors contributing to Salmonellosis outbreaks in cantaloupes in the Journal of Food Protection (November 17, 2024). Over the last thirty years, the presence of Salmonella spp. on cantaloupes has been linked to multiple large and deadly foodborne outbreaks in multiple countries. Data was collected from sixty outbreak investigations. Compared to other melon types, such as watermelon, honeydew, and Galia melon, cantaloupes had the highest public health burden. Cantaloupes were implicated in 43% of reported melon-related outbreaks, 51% of melon-related laboratory confirmed cases, 54% of melon-related hospitalizations, and 76% of melon-related deaths. In the United States, imported cantaloupes were associated with higher rates of severe salmonellosis and a greater diversity of Salmonella spp. Serovars compared to domestically grown cantaloupes. Larger outbreaks were associated with the consumption of pre-cut cantaloupe and/or the consumption of cantaloupes in public settings. With the identification of these contributing factors, a literature search was conducted to assess the state of knowledge concerning Salmonella and cantaloupes. Several gaps in the literature were noted and discussed in the context of reducing the number of illnesses associated with Salmonella on cantaloupes. @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X24001881?dgcid=raven_sd_aip_email
