- CDC announces end of salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes after numerous warnings and recalls
- Cantaloupes associated with the outbreak have passed their use-by dates and are no longer for sale
- Ongoing legal issues arise as law firm files lawsuits on behalf of consumers who fell ill after eating infected cantaloupes, including a case involving a hospitalized baby
Additional Coverage:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that the deadly salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes has come to an end. Health officials have issued numerous warnings and recalls over the past few weeks due to the outbreak. The CDC stated on Friday that cantaloupes associated with the bacteria outbreak have passed their use-by dates and are no longer for sale. The recalls of whole and pre-sliced cantaloupes from brands such as Malichita and Rudy began in November, and major retailers like Kroger, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart have also removed the melons from their shelves.
The CDC has not provided any comment in response to CBS MoneyWatch’s request. The CDC has reported that cantaloupes contaminated with salmonella have been linked to six deaths and over 400 illnesses across 44 states in recent months. Many of these illnesses were severe, with nearly 40% of those affected requiring hospitalization.
Although consuming cantaloupe is no longer a concern, there are ongoing legal issues related to illnesses caused by the contaminated melons. A national food safety law firm called Ron Simon & Associates has filed at least five lawsuits on behalf of consumers who fell ill after eating infected cantaloupes. These lawsuits include a case involving a baby in Florida who required hospitalization.
Salmonella can lead to serious illness, particularly in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. It causes an estimated 1.3 million infections annually in the US, resulting in over 26,000 hospitalizations and 420 deaths, according to CDC data.
In addition to cantaloupes, other food products have recently been recalled due to salmonella concerns. Quaker Oats, for example, has expanded a recall of cereals and granola bars this month due to potential bacterial contamination.