Salmonella Scare Sweeps Through America: Two people died and at least 99 people are sick from a salmonella outbreak connected to tainted cantaloupes and cut fruit, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 32 states, 45 people were hospitalized.. The outbreak has led to an expanded recall, now including Rudy brand whole cantaloupes and Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac brand pre-cut cantaloupe, along with some Vinyard and Aldi fruit products.
Recalled cantaloupes may have a sticker reading Rudy or Malichita with the number 4050 and Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique. If you have these products, discard them or return them to the store, washing any items or surfaces that came into contact with the fruit. Businesses are urged not to sell the contaminated fruit and to sanitize items exposed to it.
Salmonella symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever, appearing six hours to six days after ingestion. Seek medical care if you have a fever over 102, persistent diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, unstoppable vomiting, or dehydration.
While anyone can contract salmonella, severe symptoms are more likely in vulnerable populations, including the elderly, pregnant individuals, children, and those with weakened immune systems. In the US, salmonella causes about 1.35 million infections and 26,500 hospitalizations annually, costing $4.1 billion. The CDC continues to investigate the outbreak, collaborating with Canadian health officials due to reported illnesses in Canada.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Is there a Salmonella outbreak in 2023?
In the latest update on December 7, there were 72 new cases of illness reported. As of December 14, a total of 302 individuals across 42 states have been infected with one of the Salmonella outbreak strains (refer to map). The illnesses have been reported to have started between October 16 and November 28, 2023 (refer to timeline).
Did Americas food safety system failed to stop a Salmonella epidemic?
The salmonella epidemic in the US has been a major concern as it has affected thousands of people and continues to spread through the chicken industry. Unfortunately, the food safety system in America has failed to prevent this dangerous strain from causing harm. Despite the USDA and companies being aware of the issue, people are still getting sick. It’s crucial that measures are taken to address this problem and ensure the safety of consumers.
What country has most Salmonella?
In 2022, the EEA recorded nearly 66,000 cases of salmonellosis. France had the highest number of cases, with around 11,000, followed by Germany and Spain. This statistic shows the number of salmonellosis cases reported in Europe in 2022, categorized by country.
What states are recalling cantaloupe 2023?
Pacific Trellis has recently issued a recall for whole fresh cantaloupes that were distributed between October 18 – 26 in California, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin. These cantaloupes were sold in various retail supermarkets. If you have purchased any of these cantaloupes, it is recommended that you return them immediately.