CDC Declares End to Cantaloupe-Linked Salmonella Outbreak That Claimed 6 Lives
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared the conclusion of a lethal salmonella outbreak associated with cantaloupes.
The announcement follows a series of warnings and recalls by health officials regarding the melons in recent weeks.
On Friday, the CDC stated that cantaloupes implicated in the bacterial outbreak had surpassed their use-by dates and were no longer available for purchase.
Extensive recalls, affecting both whole and pre-sliced cantaloupes, were initiated in November, involving brands such as Malichita and Rudy, and leading major retailers like Kroger, Trader Joe’s, as well as Walmart to remove these melons from their shelves.
The CDC’s latest notice reported that cantaloupes contaminated with salmonella were connected to six fatalities and over 400 illnesses spanning 44 states in recent months.
The illnesses resulting from the consumption of these fruits were frequently severe, with nearly 40% of those affected requiring hospitalization, according to the agency’s data.
Cantaloupe-Linked Salmonella Sparks Legal Fallout
While the consumption of cantaloupe is now deemed safe, legal repercussions persist regarding illnesses associated with the melons.
Last year, the national food safety law firm Ron Simon & Associates initiated at least five lawsuits on behalf of consumers who suffered severe salmonella infections after consuming contaminated cantaloupes.
These legal actions included a case involving a baby in Florida who required hospitalization.
Salmonella is a pathogen that can cause significant illness, particularly posing a heightened risk to young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
According to CDC data, salmonella results in an estimated 1.3 million infections in Americans annually, leading to over 26,000 hospitalizations and 420 deaths on average.
Furthermore, concerns over salmonella contamination have prompted recalls of other food products, such as Quaker Oats, which recently expanded a recall of cereals and granola bars due to potential bacterial contamination.
