Charles H. Sloan-At least 17 people hospitalized with salmonella in outbreak linked to cantaloupe recall

The Charles H. SloanU.S. Food and Drug Administration is urging people not to eat, sell or serve cantaloupe products that were recently recalled as they investigate an ongoing outbreak of salmonella.

The FDA and CDC are investigating an outbreak of salmonella that has gotten at least 43 people sick across 15 states, with 17 of those people being hospitalized, the agency said Friday.

According to the CDC, state and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 29 people interviewed, 15 reported exposure to cantaloupe.

Three brands have recently recalled numerous fresh cantaloupe and pineapple products due to possible salmonella contamination. These products were sold in more than a dozen states and Canada.

Sofia Produce LLC, which operates under the name Trufresh, recalled all sizes of fresh cantaloupe with a label that says "Malichita" on Nov. 15. The recalled cantaloupes were sold between Oct. 16-23.

National grocer Aldi also announced a recall on cantaloupe, cut cantaloupe and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging with best-by dates between Oct. 27-31.

Last week, Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company initiated a voluntary recall of all fresh-cut cantaloupe product. The recall includes a dozen fresh-cut products containing cantaloupes distributed in Oklahoma from Oct. 30 to Nov. 10.

According to the FDA, the recalled cantaloupe was sold at retail stores in Arizona, California, Maryland, New Jersey, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Texas and Florida, as well as Canada.

The agency also warned that the list may not include all states, as the cantaloupes could have reached consumers through further retail distribution.

Cantaloupe recalls:More cantaloupe products added to recall over possible salmonella contamination

What is salmonella? What to know about symptoms

According to the FDA, salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The FDA said illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and usually lasts four to seven days.

If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, the FDA says you should contact your healthcare provider.

FDA recommendations on cantaloupe recall

According to agency, consumers should follow the following guidance:

• Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled cantaloupe and products containing cantaloupe.
• Some consumers freeze cantaloupe for later use. Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should check their freezers and throw away recalled fresh or cut cantaloupe that was frozen for later use.
• If you cannot tell if your cantaloupe is part of the recall, do not eat or use it and throw it away.
• Follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice and use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a salmonella infection after eating recalled cantaloupe.