The FDA has released a report on its investigation of Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that caused 87 reported illnesses and 32 hospitalizations in the U.S. between July and September 2022. The outbreak was linked through epidemiology and traceback to cantaloupe grown in Southwest Indiana during the summer of 2022. FDA conducted investigations in Indiana at three farms, their common packinghouse, and nearby public lands. Salmonella positive environmental samples were found at each location, but none of the resulting Salmonella isolates conclusively matched the outbreak strain by WGS. The report makes recommendations to growers of melons and other similar products. They include root cause analysis and improved traceability through digitalization. FDA will work with the Indiana State Department of Health to increase awareness amongst the melon growing industry of pathogenic environmental strains in the region to develop and promote risk reduction strategies related to melon growing and harvesting to minimize the impact of these strains. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-issues-report-highlighting-salmonella-outbreak-cantaloupe-during-summer-2022?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
