STATE

Pre-cut melons linked to multi-state outbreak of illness

Wisconsin State Farmer
Health officials are alerting Wisconsin consumers to a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide infections linked to the consumption of pre-cut melons.

MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) are alerting Wisconsin consumers to a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide infections linked to the consumption of pre-cut melons.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 60 people in five Midwestern states have become ill from reportedly eating the fruit. States that have reported illnesses include Illinois (6 cases), Indiana (11), Michigan (32), Missouri (10), and Ohio (1).  Among 47 people with information available, 31 cases (66%) have been hospitalized.

The 60 illnesses occurred within the period of April 30, 2018 to May 28, 2018.

Wisconsin officials say no cases have been identified in Wisconsin residents, but the recalled products were sold at locations in the state.

Strong customer traffic is driving big comp sales gains for Costco.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration identified nine Costco stores in the following Wisconsin cities as having distributed the recalled pre-cut melon: Bellevue (Green Bay); Grafton; Grand Chute; Menomonee Falls; Middleton; New Berlin; Pewaukee; Pleasant Prairie and Sun Prairie.

CDC reports that fruit salad mixes that include pre-cut melons are a likely source of this outbreak. Consumers were advised to not to eat recalled fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fresh-cut fruit medley products containing any of these melons.

Products have been distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers under several different brands or labels and distributed to Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Payless, Owen’s, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Walmart, Whole Foods/Amazon. Other retail locations may be added to the list.

The FDA is working with CDC, along with state partners, to trace back the pre-cut melons to identify the source to determine the full distribution of pre-cut melons, and to learn more about the potential route of contamination.

As this is an ongoing investigation, the FDA will update its page as more information becomes available, such as product information, epidemiological results, and recalls.

Consumers who have symptoms of Salmonella infection should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Most infections usually lasts 4 to 7 days and most people recover without treatment, however some people develop diarrhea so severe that they need to be hospitalized.