Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recalls Cantaloupe Melon Products
99 infected people in 32 states… 50 more people in a week
Causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms… Be careful with children and the elderly
Health authorities issued a recall in the United States after two people died and dozens more were hospitalized after eating orange-fleshed cantaloupe melons.
According to CBS News on the 24th (local time), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that deadly salmonella bacteria was found in cantaloupe melons and pre-cut products. Nearly 100 cases have been confirmed in dozens of U.S. states.
The CDC reported that the number of infected people increased rapidly from 43 as of the 17th to 99 in 32 states as of the 24th. Of these, at least two people in Minnesota died and a total of 45 people were hospitalized with symptoms of food poisoning. They all reported eating contaminated cantaloupe melons.
The CDC disclosed the brand being recalled, saying investigators were working to identify the brand of cantaloupe melon that may have been contaminated.
Whole cantaloupe melons are from ‘Malachita/Z-Farms’, including ‘Malichita’ or ‘Rudy’, number ‘4050’, and ‘Product of Mexico/produit du’. There may be a sticker that says ‘Mexique’ attached.
The distribution brand names of pre-cut melon products were confirmed to be ‘Freshness Guaranteed’, ‘RaceTrac’, ‘ALDI’, and ‘Vinyard’.
The CDC urges all recalled cantaloupe melons and other fruit products to be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. It also said any items that came into contact with the recalled fruit should be washed in hot, soapy water.
Salmonella can cause serious gastrointestinal symptoms and can be particularly fatal to children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Most infected people suffer from diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, and symptoms begin between 6 hours and 6 days after eating contaminated fruit.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.