Salmonella Outbreak: CDC Warns Americans to Avoid Malichita, Rudy Branded Cantaloupes

There have been 117 Salmonella infections, 61 hospitalizations, and two deaths, with over half of the sick people being aged 65 or above.

A digitally-colorized scanning electron microscopic image of a grouping of Gram-negative bacilli, or rod-shaped, Salmonella sp. bacteria. Janice Haney Carr/CDC

Any whole or pre-cut cantaloupes from Malichita or Rudy brands should not be eaten due to the potential risk of Salmonella infection, according to a recent alert by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“CDC is concerned about this outbreak because the illnesses are severe and people in long-term care facilities and childcare centers have gotten sick,” the agency said in a Nov. 30 food safety alert. So far, 117 illnesses, 61 hospitalizations, and two deaths have been reported for this outbreak across 34 states. The CDC has issued recalls for whole cantaloupes and pre-cut fruit products made with the recalled cantaloupes.

“Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupes if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used. This includes cantaloupe chunks and fruit mixes with cantaloupes at restaurants and grocery stores,” the CDC advised.

Three brands—Trufresh, Crown Jewels Produce, and Pacific Trellis Fruit—recalled Malichita and Rudy brands of whole cantaloupes last week due to potential salmonella contamination. The items could have a sticker saying “Malichita” or “Rudy” as well as the number “4050” with the description—“Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique.”

Pre-cut fruit products made with the recalled whole cantaloupes are:

• ALDI: cantaloupe chunks, seasonal blend, melon mixes, and fruit mixes with best-by dates from Nov. 7-12.
• Bix Produce: cantaloupe fruit cups and mixed fruit cups with sell-by dates of Oct. 25-26.
• Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac: cantaloupe chunks, seasonal blend, melon mixes, and fruit mixes with best-by dates from Nov. 7-12.
• Kiwi Trip: cantaloupe cups, mixed fruit cups, and fruit tray with sell-by dates from Nov. 4 through Dec. 3.
• Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Trader Joe’s: cantaloupe chunks, mixed melons, fruit medleys, and fruit trays with best-by dates from Oct. 28 through Nov. 8.
• Vinyard: cantaloupe cubes, melon medleys, and fruit medleys sold in Oklahoma stores from Oct. 30 through Nov. 10.

“Do not eat any recalled whole or pre-cut cantaloupe products. If you have any, throw them away or return them to the store. 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,” the agency stated.

The CDC advised individuals suffering from any of the following severe Salmonella symptoms to contact their healthcare provider:

• Diarrhea for over three days without any improvement in the condition; bloody diarrhea; or diarrhea together with fever exceeding 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
• So much vomiting that the person cannot keep liquids down.
• Signs of diarrhea like dry mouth and throat, not peeing much, and feeling dizzy while standing up.

Businesses are advised not to sell or serve the recalled food items. The agency stressed that washing the recalled foods will not remove germs or make them safe for consumption. It asked businesses to wash and sanitize all items and surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled cantaloupes.

The Infections

In its Nov. 30 “Investigation Details” report, the CDC said that the “true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses.”

“This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.”

Fifty percent of the sick people were aged 65 years and older. Fifty-nine percent were male. Eighty-five percent were White. Among the 52 people interviewed by public health officials, 40 reported eating cantaloupe, out of which 19 individuals specifically reported eating pre-cut cantaloupes while 11 ate the fruit whole.

“Fourteen people in this outbreak resided at long-term care facilities when they got sick … Seven children in this outbreak attended childcare centers when they got sick.”

The CDC advised long-term care facilities, hospitals, and childcare centers that care for people who are at higher risk of severe Salmonella illness not to serve the recalled fruits and to avoid serving pre-cut cantaloupes if they do not know whether Rudy or Malichita brands were used.

There are around 1.35 million Salmonella infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year, according to CDC estimates. Food is the source of “most of these illnesses.”

“Salmonella can be found in many foods, including sprouts and other vegetables, eggs, chicken, pork, fruits, and even processed foods, such as nut butters, frozen pot pies, chicken nuggets, and stuffed chicken entrees,” said the CDC.

“Warmer weather and unrefrigerated foods create ideal conditions for Salmonella to grow. Be sure to refrigerate or freeze perishables (foods likely to spoil or go bad quickly), prepared foods, and leftovers within 2 hours (or 1 hour if the temperature outside is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter).”

Most people with Salmonella will have symptoms like diarrhea (likely bloody), stomach cramps, and fever. Some can also experience vomiting, headache, and nausea. Symptoms typically begin within six hours to six days after infection and last for four to seven days.

Out of the 117 people infected in the current Salmonella outbreak, 14 lived in Minnesota and 10 in Wisconsin. Missouri, Ohio, Arizona, and Illinois reported between six to nine cases, while the remaining states reported five or fewer infections.