The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reporting that Ayco Farms Inc., recalled 8,302 cartons of whole cantaloupes because the fruit may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The cantaloupes were sold by Ayco Farms Inc., which first initiated the recall on March 24. On April 20, the FDA upgraded the recall to Class I, meaning that consuming the fruit could lead to severe health consequences or death.
The melons were sold in sold in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and California.
According to the FDA, the affected cantaloupes can be identified with the following information:
Product information: Fresh Cantaloupe (Whole, Fresh)
• Packaging: wrapped in food-safe plastic bags, packed in corrugated cardboard cartons, 6-12 melons per box
• Lot numbers: GC26257, GC26270, GC26288, GC26289, GC26290, GC26294, GC26299, GC26301, GC26307, GC26308, GC26311, GC26312, GC26313, GC26318, GC26325, GC26326, GC26328, SCX2601, SCX2606, SCX2611, SCX2614, SCX2622, SCX2625, SCX2629, SCX2633, SGC2601, SGC2602, and SGC2607
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled cantaloupe and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.