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The ripple effect from Salmonella in cantaloupes continues. The FD reported that Bix Produce (Little Canada, MN.) recalled Grab N’ Go containers of cut cantaloupe and mixed fruit cups due to the potential for Salmonella contamination in the products. The cantaloupes were derived from cantaloupes that are involved in the recent Malachita cantaloupe recall. The affected cantaloupe products were distributed from October 19th through October 20th, 2023, and were sold in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin at convenience stores, delis, and business cafes. These products are beyond their usable shelf-life and are no longer expected to be in commerce. No illnesses have been reported related to products distributed by Bix Produce. The recall was initiated after a supplier notified Bix Produce that they had delivered recalled Malachita cantaloupes to Bix Produce and that those had been processed and distributed by Bix Produce. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bix-produce-issues-safety-alert-cut-cantaloupe-products-due-potential-salmonella-contamination?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA reported that Cut Fruit Express Inc. (Inver Grove Heights, MN) recalled Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5oz, and Cut Fruit Express Brand of 6.5oz, 15oz, 16oz, 32oz packages of Fruit Mix that contains Cantaloupes and Foodservice packages of 5lb tray, 10lb bag, 25lb Pail because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5oz was distributed from Caribou Stores at the MSP Airport Caribou locations in the MSP Airport, Minnesota. The product comes in a clear plastic package. The USE BY DATE was 11/4/23. The remainder of the recalled “Fresh Cut Fruit Mix containing Cantaloupes” under Cut Fruit Express and food service packaging was distributed in MN, WI, and IL via retail and food service delivery. The USE BY DATES were 11/4/23, 11/5/23 and 11/6/23. No illnesses have been reported to date. Cut Fruit Express learned that their supplier is issuing a recall on Cantaloupes for potential contamination of Salmonella. Cut Fruit Express is initiating a recall on the affected product that contains the recalled Cantaloupe. The affected products were shipped between October 24th through October 26th, 2023. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cut-fruit-express-recalls-fresh-cut-fruit-mix-containing-cantaloupe-because-possible-health-risk

The FDA reported that on November 30, 2023, Austrofood, along with Wanabana USA, the distributor of WanaBana products in the US, released a statement that reports that Wanabana has conducted a root cause investigation.  Based on this investigation, the firm’s leading hypothesis is that the cinnamon is the source of the elevated lead levels in the recalled products. The statement released by Wanabana USA and Austrofood states that the cinnamon used to manufacture the recalled products was supplied by Negocios Asociados Mayoristas S.A., operating as Negasmart, a third-party distribution company located in Ecuador. The FDA is working with Ecuadorian authorities to investigate if the cinnamon in the recalled products was used in other products or distributed as a raw ingredient to other countries. FDA has confirmed that Negasmart does not import cinnamon directly into the US. As of November 30, 2023, there have been 57 reports of adverse events potentially linked to recalled products submitted to the FDA. To date, confirmed complainants are less than 1 to 5 years of age. FDA’s investigation is ongoing to determine the point of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

FDA has received additional recalls of pre-cut products made from recalled cantaloupes and has posted a compiled list of these recalls. As of November 28, 2023, CDC reported 117 cases from 34 states (AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WI), with the latest onset date of November 14, 2023. Based on epidemiological data collected by the CDC, 40 of 52 cases report exposure to cantaloupe, and 19 people specifically reported eating pre-cut cantaloupe. On November 27, 2023, Kwik Trip initiated a recall of fresh-cut fruit cup and tray products containing cantaloupe with sell-by dates of November 4, 2023, through December 3, 2023, because cantaloupes recalled by TrueFresh were used as raw materials in these products. On November 28, 2023, Bix Produce recalled Grab N’ Go containers of cut cantaloupe and mixed fruit cups with sell-by dates of October 25, 2023, and October 26, 2023, because products were derived from cantaloupes that are involved in the Malachita cantaloupe recall. On November 29, 2023, GHGA recalled pre-cut fruit products made from whole cantaloupe subject to the TrueFresh recall. Recalled products were distributed to Kroger stores in AL and GA, Sprout’s Farmers Market stores in AL, GA, NC, and SC, and Trader Joe’s stores in AL, FL, GA, SC, and TN and have “sell-by” dates from 10/28/23 – 11/8/23. Since the last update on November 24, CDC has added a second strain of Salmonella (Oranienburg) to this outbreak investigation after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found this strain in a sample of Malichita brand cantaloupes.  Two people in the United States are infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Oranienburg. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-cantaloupes-november-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery