Cantaloupe Recall As Three Companies Pull Products Over Salmonella Fears 

The U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is urging people not to eat certain cantaloupe products as manufacturers recall sales over a salmonella outbreak.

Three manufacturers are currently recalling whole cantaloupes and melon products after people fell ill across the U.S. and Canada, with the FDA issuing warnings for a range of products.

On November 15, Sofia Produce LLC, which operates under the name Trufresh, recalled all sizes of fresh cantaloupe with labels that say "Malichita" or "Rudy" sold between October 31 and November 9 this year. Affected products have been sold under both brands with "4050" on the individual stickers, which are black and white and read "Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique."

The cantaloupes were distributed in the following states: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and in Canada. The FDA warns these are unlikely to be the only states affected, writing: "The cantaloupes would have reached consumers through retail produce markets which may be located in states other than those listed above."

While only certain products are believed to have potentially been contaminated, the company is recalling "all cantaloupes under the Malichita brand and also the Rudy brand" as a precautionary measure, the FDA explains. As of November 22, 97 illnesses have been reported following consumption of cantaloupes distributed by Sofia Produce LLC.

Jewel Marketing and Agribusiness LLC has also recalled melon products labeled "Malichita/Z Farms." These products were distributed in Ohio, California and Canada, and were sold in "wood-like" cardboard cartons at stores. A number of illnesses have been reported in both the U.S. and Canada, the FDA confirmed in its recall listing.

CF Dallas is also recalling "fresh cut" cantaloupe products following the announcements made by other food producers. Eight "fruit-in-plastic" products have been recalled, which include fruit salads and mixes. No illnesses had been reported as resulting from CF Dallas products as of November 22 and the recall is a precautionary measure, the FDA has clarified.

With all products, consumers are being advised to either dispose of the product or to return it to the point of purchase. The FDA also points out that many of these products, particularly the ones bought earlier this month or in October, will be out of date.

The FDC warns that consuming any contaminated products can lead to unpleasant symptoms and potentially serious complications. Symptoms of salmonella include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Symptoms of salmonella usually begin between six hours and six days after infection, the Centers for Disease Control explains, but in some cases symptoms can start to show weeks after eating contaminated food. Recovery is expected without antibiotics within four to seven days, although some individuals may need longer to get better and serious cases can require hospital treatment.

Salmonella can cause serious health problems or even death in young children and elderly people, as well as those with compromised immune systems. In rare cases, the disease can lead to arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration for comment via email.