Caito Foods LLC, Indianapolis, IN, has recalled fresh-cut melon products because of potential Salmonella contamination.
The Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local authorities are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Carrau illnesses linked to the products.
These products contain cantaloupe, honeydew, or watermelon, or may be mixes of some or all of these melons and other pre-cut fruit.
Caito was involved in a similar salmonella recall of fresh-cut mixed fruit last June.
FDA advises that consumers not eat the recalled fresh-cut melon products. They are packed in clear plastic clamshells and distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
FDA reports 93 illnesses and 23 hospitalizations from people in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
According to FDA, the products were sold at the following retailers:
-Kroger under the Renaissance Food Group label
-Kroger under Boar’s Head Private Label
-Target under the Garden Highway Label
-Trader Joes under the Trader Joes label
-Walmart under a Freshness Guaranteed label
-Amazon/Whole Foods under the Whole Foods Market Label
These products were distributed by:
-Caito Foods Distribution with the label “Distributed by Caito Foods”
-Gordon Food Service with the label “Distributed by Caito Foods”
-SpartanNash Distribution with the label “Open Acres”
According to an FDA release, “FDA worked with CDC and state partners to trace the distribution of pre-cut melon mixes from individual case patients back to Caito Foods, LLC. FDA is also continuing its traceback investigation to identify the specific source of these melons. Salmonella Carrau is a rare type of Salmonella but has been historically seen in imported melons. Reports from
Caito Foods LLC indicate that imported melons were used in the suspect pre-cut melon mixes. FDA’s traceback investigation is examining shipping records to try to determine a country and if possible, a farm of origin for the melons.
“FDA and Indiana authorities are currently inspecting and investigating, to include collecting samples for laboratory analysis, at the Caito Foods LLC processing facility where these melons were cut and packed.”
