CDC and FDA issue a health alert on consuming specific cantaloupe products due to a growing salmonella outbreak. The affected brands include Malichita and Rudy, and the outbreak has led to a surge in infections over the past two weeks. According to U.S. officials, at least 117 individuals across 34 states have fallen ill, with 61 cases resulting in hospitalization and two fatalities reported.
Canada has also been affected, with 63 confirmed cases across five provinces, leading to 17 hospitalizations and one fatality.
Consumers are strongly advised to avoid cantaloupe products associated with the Malichita or Rudy brands and to stay informed about product recalls. Several companies have initiated recalls of pre-cut cantaloupe products and fruit medleys due to potential exposure to contaminated cantaloupes. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has expanded the recall to include certain types of pineapples, watermelons, and honeydew melons that may have undergone processing alongside the recalled cantaloupes.