Salmonella outbreak tied to Indianapolis melon producer

Dwight Adams | IndyStar

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An outbreak of salmonella poisoning that has sickened people in five states, including Indiana, could have begun at an Indianapolis food producer, health officials are saying.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that pre-cut melon supplied by Caito Foods of Indianapolis is a likely source of the outbreak, according to a news release Saturday from the Indiana State Department of Health.

Caito Foods on Friday voluntarily recalled fresh-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and fresh-cut mixed fruit containing one of these melons that were produced at its Indianapolis facility.

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The outbreak has sickened at least 60 people nationwide, including 11 in Indiana.

The company on Monday said in an email to IndyStar that they are cooperating with the federal regulators who are now seeking to pinpoint the farm where the tainted fruit was grown.

Here is what the company's recall notice said:

"Caito Foods is voluntarily recalling fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and fresh-cut mixed fruit containing one of these melons, produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis, because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. "Use or consumption of products contaminated with Salmonella may result in serious illness. It can also produce serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems."

Healthy individuals infected with salmonella can experience a variety of symptoms, including fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare instances, the salmonella organism can enter the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections, including infected aneurysms, as well as endocarditis and arthritis, the recall notice said.

Caito Foods said the products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers and distributed to distributed to Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Walgreens, Whole Foods and other stores in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. Because it's possible that products shipped between April 17, 2018, and June 7, 2018, could still be on store shelves, the recall affects both retailers and consumers, the recall notice said.

A complete list of the products affected by the recall can be found at businesswire.com and by searching for "Caito Foods."

The company has ceased producing and distributing these products, while Caito Foods, the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC conduct their investigation.

Retail and wholesale customers should check their inventories to make sure none of these products are present or available for purchase by consumers. They are advised to contact (844) 467-7278 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to arrange for disposal or return of the product.

Consumers seeking information may call (844) 467-7278 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Call IndyStar digital producer Dwight Adams at (317) 444-6532. Follow him on Twitter: @hdwightadams.

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