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FDA declares Salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupe over

rudy malichita cantaloupe recall

January 19, 2024 — The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with Canadian, state and local partners, investigated an outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to recalled cantaloupe.

As part of this investigation, FDA and industry partners worked together to collect and analyze samples of cantaloupe. Two of the samples were positive for Salmonella Sundsvall, and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis confirmed that the strain of Salmonella found in isolates associated with these two samples matched the same strain of Salmonella found in ill people.

One isolate tested positive for Salmonella Newport; however, it was not associated with the outbreak. Industry’s cooperation in collecting and sharing samples with FDA for further analysis provided additional information that helped resolve this outbreak.

As of January 19, 2024, CDC announced that the outbreak is over. CDC reports a total of 407 illnesses in 44 states. There has been a total of 158 hospitalizations and 6 deaths associated with this incident. The last illness onset was December 25, 2023. FDA’s investigation is complete.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 407
Hospitalizations: 158
Deaths: 6
Last Illness Onset: 12/25/2023
States with Cases: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Product Distribution: Nationwide and Canada

Products and Stores Affected (Updated on 1/19/2024)

Recalled whole and pre-cut cantaloupes and recalled product containing pre-cut cantaloupes were sold or distributed from September to early December 2023 and should be past shelf-life. Consumers who froze cantaloupe products should check if they are part of the recalls. If you are unsure of where your cantaloupes are from, you should discard them. 

Recalled whole cantaloupe from the following brands:

  • Whole fresh cantaloupes with a label on the cantaloupe that says “Malichita” or “Rudy”, “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”.
  • Retailers and wholesalers would have received recalled whole melons from Sofia Produce doing business as TruFresh in boxes labeled “Malichita” or “Rudy”, or from Crown Jewels Produce in boxes labeled “Malichita/Z Farms”, or from Pacific Trellis in corrugated cartons with certain lot codes.

Recalled pre-cut cantaloupe and products containing pre-cut cantaloupes (products made from recalled whole cantaloupes) can be found on the Major Recalls Page.

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January 19, 2024 — The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with Canadian, state and local partners, investigated an outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to recalled cantaloupe.

As part of this investigation, FDA and industry partners worked together to collect and analyze samples of cantaloupe. Two of the samples were positive for Salmonella Sundsvall, and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis confirmed that the strain of Salmonella found in isolates associated with these two samples matched the same strain of Salmonella found in ill people.

One isolate tested positive for Salmonella Newport; however, it was not associated with the outbreak. Industry’s cooperation in collecting and sharing samples with FDA for further analysis provided additional information that helped resolve this outbreak.

As of January 19, 2024, CDC announced that the outbreak is over. CDC reports a total of 407 illnesses in 44 states. There has been a total of 158 hospitalizations and 6 deaths associated with this incident. The last illness onset was December 25, 2023. FDA’s investigation is complete.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 407
Hospitalizations: 158
Deaths: 6
Last Illness Onset: 12/25/2023
States with Cases: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Product Distribution: Nationwide and Canada

Products and Stores Affected (Updated on 1/19/2024)

Recalled whole and pre-cut cantaloupes and recalled product containing pre-cut cantaloupes were sold or distributed from September to early December 2023 and should be past shelf-life. Consumers who froze cantaloupe products should check if they are part of the recalls. If you are unsure of where your cantaloupes are from, you should discard them. 

Recalled whole cantaloupe from the following brands:

  • Whole fresh cantaloupes with a label on the cantaloupe that says “Malichita” or “Rudy”, “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”.
  • Retailers and wholesalers would have received recalled whole melons from Sofia Produce doing business as TruFresh in boxes labeled “Malichita” or “Rudy”, or from Crown Jewels Produce in boxes labeled “Malichita/Z Farms”, or from Pacific Trellis in corrugated cartons with certain lot codes.

Recalled pre-cut cantaloupe and products containing pre-cut cantaloupes (products made from recalled whole cantaloupes) can be found on the Major Recalls Page.

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