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CDC is concerned about this outbreak because the illnesses are severe and people in long-term care facilities and childcare centers have gotten sick. Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupes if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used.
| Fast Facts |
| • Illnesses: 230 (113 new) |
| • Hospitalizations: 96 (35 new) |
| • Deaths: 3 (1 new) |
| • States: 38 (4 new) |
| • Recall: Yes |
| • Investigation status: Active (first posted on November 17, 2023) |
Recalled Food
Malichita and Rudy brand whole cantaloupes
- Might have a sticker that says “Malichita” or “Rudy,” with the number “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”
- See Trufresh recall, Crown Jewels recall, and Pacific Trellis recall for more details
Pre-cut fruit products made with recalled whole cantaloupes
- Kwik Trip cantaloupe cups, mixed fruit cups, and fruit tray with sell-by dates from November 4 through December 3
- TGD Cuts cantaloupe chunks, mixed fruits, and fruit trays with use-by dates from November 2 through November 24
- Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac cantaloupe chunks, seasonal blend, melon mixes, and fruit mixes with best-by dates from November 7 through November 12
- Vinyard cantaloupe cubes, melon medleys, and fruit medleys sold in Oklahoma stores from October 30 through November 10
- Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Trader Joe’s cantaloupe chunks, mixed melons, fruit medleys, and fruit trays with best-by dates from October 28 through November 8
- Cut Fruit Express cantaloupe chunks, melon mixes, and fruit mixes with use-by dates from November 4 through November 6
- ALDI [PDF – 2 pages] whole cantaloupes, cantaloupe chunks, and pineapple spears with best-by dates from October 27 through October 31
- Bix Produce cantaloupe fruit cups and mixed fruit cups with sell-by dates of October 25 and October 26
- All cantaloupe recalls are listed on FDA’s cantaloupe recall website.
What You Should Do
- Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupes if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used.
- This includes cantaloupe chunks and fruit mixes with cantaloupes at restaurants and grocery stores.
- Do not eat any recalled whole or pre-cut cantaloupe products.
- If you have any, throw them away or return them to the store.
- If the whole cantaloupe does not have a sticker, check with the store to make sure it is not a Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupe.
- Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the cantaloupe using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
- Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms:
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
- Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
- Bloody diarrhea
- So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration, such as:
- Not peeing much
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling dizzy when standing up
What Long-Term Care Facilities, Childcare Centers, and Hospitals Should Do
Adults 65 and older, children under 5 years, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get very sick from Salmonella. In this outbreak, 24 sick people resided in long-term care facilities and 23 children attended childcare centers before they got sick.
CDC advises facilities that care for people at higher risk to not serve cantaloupes that may be contaminated:
- Do not use any recalled whole or pre-cut cantaloupes.
- Do not serve any cantaloupe that was supplied pre-cut if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used.
What Businesses Should Do
- Do not sell or serve recalled cantaloupes and products made with recalled cantaloupe, even if they have been washed.
- Washing does not remove all germs and does not make recalled products safe to eat.
- Wash and sanitize items and surfaces that may have come in contact with recalled cantaloupes.
Symptoms of Salmonella
- Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
- Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
- Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days.
- Some people—especially children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
- For more information about Salmonella, see the Salmonella Questions and Answers page.
