watermelon slices

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) issued a recall warning for Georgia residents to check their refrigerators for pre-cut watermelon slices and fruit salads that may be contaminated with fast-spreading Salmonella bacteria.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Caito Foods LLC recalled its fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and fruit medley products on Friday after dozens of people were sickened by Salmonella.

At least 60 people in nine states, including Georgia, are confirmed to have contracted Salmonella from pre-cut watermelon slices, melons and other fresh fruit.

The CDC says 31 of those people have been hospitalized. So far, there have been no deaths reported.

The fruit products were packaged in Caito Foods LLC’s Indianapolis facility and shipped to Costco, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Walmart and Whole Foods/Amazon in nine states. The fruit is packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers.

The CDC says people should discard any fresh-cut watermelon, melon or fruit salad products bought from these retailers.

Kroger’s and Publix Supermarkets in Georgia are not affected by the recall.

“The pre-cut melon and melon in pre-cut fruit salads sold in Kroger’s Georgia stores are sourced from a different supplier,” said Felix Turner, corporate affairs manager for Kroger’s Atlanta Division in a statement to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “However, if a Kroger customer has any concerns about pre-cut melon and/or pre-made fruit salads purchased at a Kroger store, they may return it to the store for a full refund.”

Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include: diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and abdominal pain. The symptoms begin about 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. The illness usually lasts about a week.

Contact your doctor or healthcare provider if your symptoms worsen; Diarrhea lasts for more than two days; you have bloody stools or a high fever (103 F or higher).

 

Photo by Sandra Rose/Sandrarose.com