Two dead, 125 ill in Malichita Salmonella outbreak

Malichita brand cantaloupes grown in Mexico are responsible for two deaths and at least 125 confirmed cases of Salmonella in the United States and Canada, according to reports from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Fifty-one of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized.

In Canada

The outbreak

The province of British Columbia was the first jurisdiction in either country to alert consumers to the outbreak. On November 15th, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) reported eight cases of Salmonella in the province linked to consumption of Malichita cantaloupes, and urged consumers to avoid the produce.

Seven of the eight cases reported by the BCCDC have been confirmed by the National Microbiology Laboratory to be part of a national outbreak. The other BC case is considered “probable” at the moment, according to a spokesperson for the BCCDC.

As of November 22nd, five Canadian provinces have reported a total of 26 confirmed outbreak cases, with additional cases of Salmonella under investigation but not yet confirmed to be part of the outbreak, according to the PHAC.

Lab-confirmed outbreak cases were reported in British Columbia (7), Ontario (7), Quebec (8), Prince Edward Island (2) and Newfoundland and Labrador (2).

The first Canadian victim fell ill during the week of October 15th.

Outbreak victims range between 0 and 100 years of age, and six have been hospitalized.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) found the outbreak strain in a sample of Malichita cantaloupe and shared its finding with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Canadian recalls as of Nov 24, 2023

Canadian distributors and retailers have recalled from the market all Malichita brand Cantaloupes sold between October 11, 2023 and November 14, 2023, inclusive, and all Ruby brand Cantaloupes sold between October 10, 2023 and November 24, 2023, inclusive. The recalled melons were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec and may also have found their way into the rest of Canada.

The Pattison Food Group has recalled Urban Fare and Save on Foods brands of cut cantaloupe, fruit trays, and fruit platters that contained the recalled Malichita cantaloupes. Products included in this recall were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Yukon.

Hector Larivee Inc. has recalled Fruit Pure brand fruit salad, Groupe Tomapure brand cantaloupe platters and unbranded cantaloupe pieces. The recalled products were distributed in Ontario and Québec to hotels, restaurants and institutions.

Sami Fruits has recalled cut cantaloupe and fruit platters containing cantaloupe. The recalled items were sold only at Sami Fruits in Montréal.

Fresh Start Foods has recalled Central Foods Co. and Fresh Start Foods brands of cut fruit. The recalled items were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba, and may also have found their way into other provinces and territories.

Yen Bros. Food Service (2011) Ltd. has recalled Fruit Salad (7.5 lb & 25 lb; All production dates from 10/23/23 up to and including 11/17/23). The recalled products were supplied to hotels, restaurants and institutions in British Columbia.

In the USA

The outbreak

As of November 24th, 99 individuals in 32 US states have been infected with the Salmonella outbreak strain and 45 were hospitalized, according to the CDC.

Two people have died in Minnesota.

Confirmed cases have been reported in Arkansas (1), Arizona (7), California (1), Colorado (2), Georgia (3), Iowa (5), Illinois (4), Indiana (2), Kentucky (5), Massachusetts (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (13), Missouri (9), Mississippi (1), North Carolina (2), Nebraska (4), New Jersey (1), Nevada (2), New York (1), Ohio (8), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (1), Rhode Island (1), South Carolina (3), Tennessee (4), Texas (3), Utah (1), Virginia (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (8).

The first US outbreak victim fell ill on October 17th.

Outbreak victims range in age from <1 to 100 years.

The US recalls as of Nov 24, 2023

SOFIA PRODUCE, LLC (dba Trufresh) of Nogales, Texas, has recalled all sizes of fresh cantaloupes packaged in cardboard containers labeled with the “Malichita” label, and also labeled with the “Rudy” label to include all cantaloupes sold between the dates of October 10, 2023 and November 3, 2023. The melons were distributed directly to consignees in Arizona, California. Connecticut, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida, and Canada.

Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has recalled twelve products, including: fruit cups, cut cantaloupe, fruit mixes, and melon variety packs that were prepared using the recalled Malichita cantaloupes. Distribution of the recalled Vinyard products was limited to Oklahoma.

ALDI Inc., in cooperation with Anthony Marano Co. and Market Cuts LLC, has recalled whole cantaloupes, cantaloupe chunks, and pineapple spears. The recalled products were sold at select ALDI stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

CF Dallas, LLC has recalled one RaceTrac and eleven Freshness Guaranteed fresh-cut products made from whole cantaloupe. The fresh-cut fruit products containing recalled cantaloupe were distributed to select retail stores in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois, Texas, and Louisiana. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Jewel Marketing and Agribusiness LLC. (dba Crown Jewels Produce) has recalled Malichita / Z Farms Cantaloupes sold between October 31, 2023 and November 9, 2023.

Pacific Trellis Fruit, LLC dba Dulcinea has recalled Malichita brand whole cantaloupe (Lot codes 21651, 21699, 21775, 21787, and 21870). The recalled melons were distributed between October 18th – 26th in California, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin, and sold in various retail supermarkets.

What consumers in Canada and the United States should know

Consumers are advised to discard and not consume Malichita cantaloupes that have been recalled. If you have whole or pre-cut cantaloupes or fruit cups, fruit platters, or fruit medleys in your home and are unsure of their origin, discard them as a precaution.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

If you feel unwell, and especially if you have symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting, do not cook or prepare food for other people.

If you suspect you are suffering from a Salmonella infection, consult your healthcare provider.