The Salmonella outbreak associated with cantaloupe consumption has taken a graver turn in both Canada and the United States. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced the recall of 28 more cantaloupe products, bringing the total number of recalled items to date to combat the outbreak that has already claimed eight lives – five in Canada and three in the U.S.

The CFIA disclosed that the latest recall pertains to unbranded pre-cut cantaloupe distributed nationwide. The recalling company’s name has not been provided by the CFIA at this time. The implicated cantaloupe products carry best-by dates of November 11, with a particular concern expressed regarding the possibility that some consumers might have frozen the cantaloupe for future use. Descriptions of the newly recalled cantaloupe can be found HERE. As of December 7, the outbreak in Canada has resulted in 129 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella illness. The affected individuals, spanning from 0 to 100 years of age, fell ill between mid-October and mid-November 2023. Forty-four of them have been hospitalized, and the death toll has risen to five. The investigation is ongoing, with more cases expected to be confirmed.

This Canadian outbreak is intricately linked to a parallel outbreak in the United States, where 230 people have been confirmed ill with the same Salmonella strains. In the U.S., 96 patients have been hospitalized, and three deaths have been reported across 38 states.

Two key recalls have been central to these outbreaks, targeting Malichita and Rudy brand whole cantaloupes originating from Mexico. These products have been recalled in both the U.S. and Canada. Notably, additional recalls of fresh-cut cantaloupe products, including mixed fruit items, are underway due to their inclusion of cantaloupe sourced from the Malichita and Rudy brands.

Authorities in both countries are intensifying their efforts to address the outbreak, emphasizing the critical importance of checking and disposing of any potentially contaminated cantaloupe products to prevent further illnesses and fatalities. Consumers are urged to stay informed about recalls and take necessary precautions to ensure food safety.

United States, the recalled cantaloupe products are listed here.

Canada, lists of the recalled cantaloupe products are found here.