Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Fruit Hits 11 States, Including WA

SEATTLE, WA — A salmonella outbreak linked to fruit has sickened 96 people, including one in Washington, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday. A New Jersey company has been identified as a likely source of the outbreak, which could impact schools, officials said.

The salmonella strain has hit 11 states, and 27 people have been hospitalized as a result of the outbreak, the CDC said. No deaths have been reported.

The Food and Drug Administration and CDC linked the outbreak to a fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple and grapes from Tailor Cut Produce of North Brunswick, New Jersey.

Federal health officials said the fruit was not sold directly to consumers in grocery stores. Instead, they went to places such as restaurants, banquet facilities, hotels, schools and long-term care facilities.

The fruit was distributed between Nov. 15 and Dec. 1 with the company recalling the products Dec. 7.

The FDA told operators of nursing homes, schools, hospitals and similar facilities to stop serving the products and consult with their distributors to confirm their source.

Delaware has the highest amount of cases with 39, followed by Pennsylvania with 34 and New Jersey with 12, according to the CDC.

Sicknesses have been reported in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.

The CDC said:

• Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps 12-72 hours after eating contaminated food.
• The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment.
• See your health care provider if you are concerned about symptoms, such as a high fever (temperature over 102 degrees), blood in your feces, diarrhea or frequent vomiting that prevents keeping liquid down.
• More information can be found online.