In the news

The FDA updated the information on the outbreak of Salmonella in cantaloupes. The whole cantaloupe associated with the outbreak are from the following brands: “Malichita” or “Rudy,” “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique.” On November 24, Pacific Trellis initiated a recall of whole fresh cantaloupes distributed between October 18 – 26 in California, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin and sold in various retail supermarkets. On November 22, 2023, Crown Jewels Produce issued a recall of whole fresh cantaloupes, Sofia Produce expanded their recall of fresh whole cantaloupe, and CF Dallas initiated a recall of fresh cut fruit products made from whole cantaloupe subject to the Sofia Produce recall. As of November 24, 2023, the CDC reported 99 cases with 45 hospitalizations from 32 states, with the latest onset date of November 10, 2023. Retailers and wholesalers would have received recalled whole melons from Crown Jewels Produce in boxes labeled “Malachita/Z Farms” or from Sofia, Produce doing business as TrueFresh in boxes labeled “Malichita” or “Rudy,” or from Pacific Trellis in corrugated cartons with certain lot codes. As a result of the cantaloupe recall, products made from the cantaloupe were also recalled. The cut produce was sold in ALDI, Viyard, and Freshness Guaranteed.  @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-cantaloupes-november-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA, CDC, and state and local partners continue to investigate a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to peaches, plums, and nectarines (stone fruit). New matching cases have been identified over the past several years. The outbreak caused 11 illnesses, 10 hospitalizations, and one death. The states affected are CA, CO, FL, IL, KS, MI, and OH. Samples from sick people were collected from August 22, 2018, to August 16, 2023. The data suggests that peaches, plums, and nectarines are likely sources of this outbreak.  On October 23, 2023, the FDA collected samples of 2lb bagged peaches at The HMC Group Cold Storage, Inc. (Kingsburg, CA), and on November 7, 2023, the samples were reported positive and matched to the outbreak strain by WGS.  HMC Farms has voluntarily recalled peaches, plums, and nectarines. Recalled fruit is past expiration and no longer available for sale in retail stores but could have been frozen by consumers. This recall does not include fresh whole peaches, plums, and nectarines currently available for sale at retail. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-peaches-plums-nectarines-november-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA reported that Pacific Trellis Fruit, LLC dba Dulcinea is recalling 4,872 cases of Malichita brand whole cantaloupe. The voluntary recall is due to the FDA’s ongoing investigation of an outbreak involving Malichita brand cantaloupe. The cantaloupes have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The products were distributed between October 18th and 26th in California, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin and sold in various retail supermarkets. The whole cantaloupe is packed in corrugated cartons, and the price look-up sticker is labeled “Malichita.” This is an ongoing outbreak, and several illnesses have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States and Canada. To date, Pacific Trellis Fruit has not received any reports of illness. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pacific-trellis-fruit-recalls-malichita-brand-cantaloupes-due-possible-health-risk

Bill Marler reported that as of November 24, 99 people in the US  infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 32 states. Arkansas (1), Arizona (7), California (1), Colorado (2), Georgia (3), Iowa (5), Illinois (4), Indiana (2), Kentucky (5), Massachusetts (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (13), Missouri (9), Mississippi (1), North Carolina (2), Nebraska (4), New Jersey (1), Nevada (2), New York (1), Ohio (8), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (1), Rhode Island (1), South Carolina (3), Tennessee (4), Texas (3), Utah (1), Virginia (1), Washington (1) and Wisconsin (8). Of 77 people with information available, 45 have been hospitalized. Two deaths have been reported in Minnesota. In Canada, as of November 24, there have been 63 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Soahanina, Sundsvall, and Oranienburg illness linked to this outbreak in the following provinces: British Columbia (12), Ontario (12), Quebec (35), Prince Edward Island (2) and Newfoundland and Labrador (2). One death has been reported. The CFIA issued food recall warnings on November 1, November 14, and November 17 for Malichita brand cantaloupes sold between October 11 and November 14, 2023. On November 24, 2023, CFIA updated the food recall warning to include Rudy brand cantaloupes sold between October 10 and November 24, 2023. Additional secondary recalls have been issued for products made using recalled cantaloupes and for produce items that were processed alongside recalled cantaloupes.  @ https://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/salmonella-cantaloupe-turns-deadly-3-dead-162-sick-with-62-hospitalized/