2 Twin Cities Companies Issue Cantaloupe Recall

TWIN CITIES, MN — Two Twin Cities fruit companies have joined the growing list of national cantaloupe sellers who have issued recalls for their products.

The onslaught of recalls has come as a result of a nationwide salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes, though no specific brands have been identified.

So far in the outbreak, which the Centers for Desire Control first started investigating last month, there have been:

• 71 illnesses
• 61 hospitalizations
• 2 deaths (both in Minnesota)
• 34 states

The two metro-based fruit companies issuing recalls are Little Canada-based Bix Produce and Inver Grove Heights-based Cut Fruit Express. No illnesses or deaths have been linked to the brands, and all recalled products are well passed their expiration dates.

Cut Fruit Express is recalling Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5oz, and Cut Fruit Express Brand of 6.5oz, 15oz, 16oz, 32oz packages of Fruit Mix contains Cantaloupes and packages of 5lb tray, 10lb bag, 25lb Pail.

Find information below on where the products were sold at:

Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5oz was distributed from Caribou Stores at the MSP Airport Caribou locations in the MSP Airport, Minnesota. The product comes in a clear plastic package. The USE BY DATE was 11/4/23. The remainder of the recalled "Fresh Cut Fruit Mix containing Cantaloupes" under Cut Fruit Express and food service packaging was distributed through in MN, WI and IL via retail and food service delivery. The USE BY DATES were 11/4/23, 11/5/23 and 11/6/23.

Meanwhile, Bix Produce is recalling Grab N’ Go containers of cut cantaloupe:

The affected cantaloupe products were distributed from October 19th through October 20th, 2023, and were sold in the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin at convenience stores, delis, and business cafes.

According to Bix, the recalled products "are beyond their usable shelf-life and are no longer expected to be in commerce."

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatl infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may experience fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), and abdominal pain.

In rare cases, the organism can get into the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses such as aneurysms, endocarditis, and arthritis.

The CDC has issued the following recommendations for consumers:

• Do not eat any recalled cantaloupes and other fruit products. Throw them away or return them to where you bought them.
• Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled fruit using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
• Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms:
  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees
  • Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
  • Signs of dehydration, such as:
    • Not peeing much
    • Dry mouth and throat
    • Feeling dizzy when standing up

See more details about the outbreak overall at the CDC website.