Atlanta, Georgia – The recent salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupe has officially come to an end, the Centers for Disease Control announced last Friday. This outbreak affected over 400 people in 44 states, resulting in 158 hospitalizations and six fatalities.
Additionally, tainted cantaloupe was also sold in Canada, where over 160 cases were reported, including 61 hospitalizations and seven deaths. The affected cantaloupes were identified as the Malchita and Rudy brand, which were distributed at various retail locations such as Kwik Trip, Kroger, and Trader Joe’s between September and December 2023.
The Food & Drug Administration has issued a warning to individuals who may have stored cantaloupe products in their freezers during that period to check if they were part of the recall. Experts advise that if there is any uncertainty about the origin of a cantaloupe, it is best to discard the fruit.
The widespread impact of this outbreak serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety protocols and the need for increased vigilance in monitoring produce distribution. This incident also underscores the crucial role of government agencies and health organizations in promptly addressing and containing public health crises.
As the affected regions recover from this outbreak, consumers are urged to stay informed and vigilant about food recalls and potential dangers to their health. This serves as a reminder to all stakeholders in the food industry to prioritize safety and take proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.