The CDC and the FDA report tonight that a total of 141 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 20 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (7), Arkansas (3), California (2), Georgia (1), Illinois (17), Indiana (13), Iowa (7), Kentucky (50), Michigan (6), Minnesota (3), Missouri (9), Mississippi (2), New Jersey (1), North Carolina (3), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (3), Tennessee (6), Texas (1), and Wisconsin (2). 31 ill persons have been hospitalized. Two deaths have been reported in Kentucky.
Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana is a likely source of this outbreak. As a result of the initial investigations by the state health departments in Indiana and Kentucky, a[n] UNNAMED farm in southwestern Indiana has contacted its distributors, which reach outside Indiana into other states, and is withdrawing its cantaloupe from the market place. The farm has agreed to cease distributing cantaloupes for the rest of the growing season.
Consumers who recently purchased cantaloupes grown in southwestern Indiana are advised not to eat them and discard any remaining cantaloupe. Based on the available information, consumers can continue to purchase and eat cantaloupes that did not originate in southwestern Indiana.
This is my favorite helpful hint to busy mom’s and dad’s:
Many cantaloupes have the growing area identified with a sticker on the fruit. If no sticker is present, consumers should inquire about the source. When in doubt, throw it out.
UNNAMED retailers and UNNAMED food service operators should not sell or serve cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana.
I appreciate that the CDC and FDA – and local and state health authorities – can count, but don’t you think telling consumers where the cantaloupe was grown and where it was sold would be helpful?
Well, eventually, it will all become public. A few cantaloupe examples: