Updated November 19, 2023 with additional recall information

Malichita brand cantaloupes grown in Mexico are responsible for at least 57 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).

Twenty 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.

Three 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 five BC cases are considered “probable” at the moment, according to a spokesperson for the BCCDC.

As of November 17th, three Canadian provinces have reported a total of 14 confirmed outbreak cases, with additional cases of Salmonella under investigation but not yet confirmed to be part of the outbreak, according to the PHAC.

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

Ontario has reported 3 cases linked to the outbreak, and Québec has confirmed 8 cases.

Outbreak victims range between 0 and 100 years of age, and three 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 recalls

Although it is likely that more recalls will be announced, this is what we know so far.

Canadian distributors and retailers have recalled from the market all Malichita brand Cantaloupes sold between October 11, 2023 and November 14, 2023, inclusive, according to a recall notice from the CFIA. 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. – added November 19, 2023.

In the USA

The outbreak

As of November 18th, 43 individuals in 15 US states have been infected with the Salmonella outbreak strain, according to the CDC.

Confirmed cases have been reported in Arizona (7), California (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (4), Kentucky (3), Maryland (1), Minnesota (5), Missouri (5), Nebraska (4), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (1), Texas (3), Virginia (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (4).

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

Seventeen people have been hospitalized due to the severity of their symptoms.

Outbreak victims range in age from 1 to 100 years.

The recalls

SOFIA PRODUCE, LLC (dba Trufresh) of Nogales, Texas, has recalled Malichita brand whole cantaloupes distributed between October 16, 2023 and October 23, 2023 under the sales order numbers 0128556, 0128624, 0128630, 0128632, 0128640, 0128643, 0128644, 0128646, 0128648, 0128651, -0128656, 0128669, 0128680, 0128682, 0128683, 0128700, 0225200, 0225201, 0225206, 0225214, 0225219, 0225222, 0225226, 0225227, 0225228, 0419611, 0419629, 0419630, 0419636, 0419671, 0419688, 0419693, 0419696, 0419697, 0419704, 0419710, 0419718, 0419772, 0516255, 0516268, 0516271, 0516279, 0516301, 0612143, 0612144, 0612148, 0612154, 0612156, 0612158, 0612171, 0612190, 0612191, 0612197, 0612198, 0612209, 0612225, 128663, 128712, 128713, 128662, 128680, 225252, 225231, 419719, 419721, 419828, 419803, 612235, and 612273. The melons were distributed directly to consignees in Arizona, California. Maryland, New Jersey, Tennessee, 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.

It is likely that additional recall announcements will be made in the days to follow.

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.

---

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.