Salmonella Outbreak Traced to Cantaloupes

A salmonella outbreak in the United States and Canada has been asscociated with a Honduran melon grower. FDA has issued an import alert regarding entry of cantaloupe from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer, because fruit from the company may to be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak, according to FDA’s current information. The import alert advises FDA field offices that all cantaloupes shipped to the United States by this company are to be detained.

In addition, FDA has contacted importers about this action and is advising U.S. grocers, food service operators and produce processors to remove from their stock any cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano. FDA also advises consumers who have recently bought cantaloupes to check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from this specific grower and packer. If so, consumers should throw away the cantaloupes.

FDA has received reports of 50 illnesses in 16 states and 9 illnesses in Canada linked to the consumption of cantaloupes. No deaths have been reported; however, 14 people have been hospitalized. The states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

FDA is taking this preventive measure while the agency continues to investigate this outbreak in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state partners. Such intervention is a key component of FDA’s Food Protection Plan.