So much for “barely transparency.”

This investigation began in late February 2026 as a Salmonella illness cluster not linked to a particular product and ended with it being linked to Cantaloupe that sickened 70 in 25 unnamed states. No CDC report has thus far has been provided. To Ayco’s credit, it instituted a recall in late April 2026.

According to the FDA Outbreak Table: The outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref #1366) linked to cantaloupe has ended. Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC, a total of 70 people infected with the same strain of Salmonella Newport have been reported from 25 states. FDA’s traceback investigation identified Ayco Farms Inc. of Pompano Beach, Florida, as a common supplier of imported cantaloupe from Guatemala. Once Ayco Farms was identified as the common supplier, FDA worked with the firm to determine if there was product available to customers. Although the imported cantaloupe was likely past shelf life and no longer on the market, Ayco Farms initiated a voluntary recall to ensure that downstream customers did not further process and extend the shelf life of the implicated cantaloupe. There does not appear to be any ongoing risk to public health and there is no recommendation for consumers to avoid cantaloupe. As part of this investigation, FDA placed Ayco San Jorge Y Compania Limitada and Agrobassy Y Cia Ltda on import alert 99-35, which subjects the cantaloupes from these firms to automatic detention without physical examination. As such, no product from these firms will enter U.S. commerce until they have demonstrated that they have overcome the violations that resulted in this action.