Fruit Sold In FL Recalled Over Salmonella Concern

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recalled 8,302 cartons of cantaloupes sold in four states, including Florida, because the fruit may be contaminated with salmonella.

The cantaloupes were sold by Ayco Farms Inc., which first initiated the recall on March 24. On April 20, the FDA upgraded the recall to Class I, meaning that consuming the fruit could lead to severe health consequences or death.

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The cantaloupes were also distributed to and sold in New York, Pennsylvania and California.

According to the FDA, the affected cantaloupes can be identified with the following information:

• Product information: Fresh Cantaloupe (Whole, Fresh)
• Packaging: wrapped in food-safe plastic bags, packed in corrugated cardboard cartons, 6-12 melons per box
• Lot numbers: GC26257, GC26270, GC26288, GC26289, GC26290, GC26294, GC26299, GC26301, GC26307, GC26308, GC26311, GC26312, GC26313, GC26318, GC26325, GC26326, GC26328, SCX2601, SCX2606, SCX2611, SCX2614, SCX2622, SCX2625, SCX2629, SCX2633, SGC2601, SGC2602, and SGC2607

The FDA did not provide specific information on what consumers should do if they purchased the affected fruit; however, the agency generally advises consumers to throw the product away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Symptoms usually start between six hours and six days after swallowing the bacteria. Most people recover within a week without medical treatment, according to the CDC.